Upstart Crow cast for West End confirmed in full

The full cast joining David Mitchell in the West End production of Upstart Crow has been confirmed.

The hit BBC TV sitcom has been adapted for the stage with Mitchell once more donning the bald wig and bardish coddling pouch in his iconic characterisation of Will Shakespeare.

The show will play at the Gielgud Theatre from 7 February for a limited 11-week season.

Upstart Crow theatre cast

Joining Mitchell on the cast is Gemma Whelan who will co-star as the sweet and fragrant Kate.

Also reprising their TV roles are Helen Monks as Susanna, Rob Rouse as Ned Bottom and Steve Speirs as Richard Burbage. Meanwhile, Mark Heap, who played Robert Greene in the TV series, will play new character, Dr John Hall.

Further cast includes Danielle Phillips, Jason Callender and Rachel Summers (This Islands Mine).

Upstart Crow has been adapted for the stage by Ben Elton, who wrote the TV series, and will be directed by Olivier award-winner Sean Foley (The Ladykillers, Jeeves and Wooster and The Miser).

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Ben Elton said: “Besides Will and Kate many of the other characters from the TV sitcom feature in this new play and I’m delighted that they will all be played by the original actors. Steve Speirs returns as Burbage the Actor, no doubt relishing the extra opportunity that live theatre offers for serious shouting and strutting.

“Hilarious Helen Monks is back as Shakespeare’s grumpy daughter Susanna. Top comic Rob Rouse will once again have us laughing at his Bottom and the show stopping Mark Heap who played Robert Greene is returnED in villainous guise!

“Gotta say, the brilliant new actors who are joining Upstart Crow for the first time will have to really pull up their puffling pants if they don’t want to get upstaged!”

Upstart Crow plays the Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London. Previews from 7 February through to 25 April.