DENNIS CLINTON ...Lord, Shepherd
Work includes: After playing at the Old Vic and at Stratford in the 1950s, moved to Australia where he spent fourteen years, appearing in tours (Fiddler On the Roof, My Fair Lady) and with the Melbourne St. Martins Theatre Company where parts included Polonius in Hamlet and Doc in Come Back Little Sheba. Since returning to England work has included The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (ITV), Z Cars (BBC), and, most recently, Strike Leader in Clayhanger (ATV). This season Friar John in Romeo and Juliet, Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing.

LEA DREGORN... Emilia, Shepherdess
Work includes: Spent fourteen months with the Theatre Royal, York where parts included Marion in There's A Girl in My Soup, Sorrel in Hay Fever and Emilia in Two Noble Kinsmen (a role she played again in Regent's Park 1974.), She was in The Englishman Amused and Cleora in Tom Thumb the Great (both at Young Vic 1974.). TV includes Moody and Peg (Thames), Warship (BBC). Films include Lifetaker and The Slipper and the Rose. This season Lady in Romeo and Juliet, Maid in Much Ado About Nothing.

RICHARD DURDEN ...Paulina's Steward
Work includes: Repertory seasons with Lyceum Edinburgh Traverse Edinburgh, 69 Theatre Co., Prospect, Oxford Playhouse, Leeds and others. The Beggar in The Beggar's Opera (Apollo 1968), Erb (Strand), The Hangman in Hang Down Your Head and Die (Comedy 1967), Brutus in The Breadwinner (Royalty 1974), Torvald in The Doll's House (Leeds Playhouse 1975), Cauchon in St. Joan, Happy in Death of a Salesman and Telegin in Uncle Vanya (both at the Oxford Playhouse 1975), TV includes Play of the Month, Armchair Theatre, Special Branch. Films: Dr Faustus, Scar of Dracula. This season Paris in Romeo and Juliet, Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing.

SUSAN DURY ...First Lady, Shepherdess
Work includes: Has worked with experimental theatre groups in Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Paris. Played Clea in Black Comedy in Los Angeles. In 1972 returned to England. High in Vietnam (Almost Free), Morituri (Kings Head), A Voyage Round My Father (Windsor and tour), Diana in Love Story (Kings Head). Extensive TV includes most recently Jane in Rogue's Rock (Southern TV) and The Cedar Tree (ATV series ( to be shown). Films include Jenny in The Assistant (1968) and The Return of a Man Called Horse. She is also a member of Bettina Jonic's Music Theatre Group. This season Lady in Romeo and Juliet, Maid in Much Ado About Nothing.

CHRIS DYER ...Designer
Work includes: Spent two years with Bristol Old Vic where he designed The Architect and the Emperor of Asyria, The Bristol Road Show, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (all 1973),  Early Morning, The Screens (1973), Arturo Ui (Midlands Arts Theatre 1973), The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Magic Circle (both Birmingham Rep 1974). Work for the RSC includes The Beast (The Place 1974), Hamlet, Man is Man (The Other Place and the Round House 1975/6), Perkin Warbeck (Other Place 1975). For Welsh National Aneurin Bevan, Fair Jerusalem (Birmingham Studio), and for Avon Touring The Football King and others.

NICKOLAS GRACE... Florizel
Work includes: Erb (Manchester 69 and Strand Theatre 1970), Sport of my Mad Mother (Royal Court Upstairs), A Yard of Sun (Nottingham and National), the McKellen Hamlet (Prospect 1971), My Foot, My Tutor (Open Space). Productions include: The Hawk's Well (Berlin Interdrama Festival 1968), and directed Frinton and Waltham Forest Theatres (1974). With RSC played Alyoshka in Lower Depths, Leonardo in Merchant of Venice, Young Priest in Murder in the Cathedral (Aldwych 1972/73), Balthasar in Romeo and Juliet, Biondello in Taming of the Shrew, Aumerle in Richard II (Stratford 1973 and New York 1974). At Nottingham, Squire in Canterbury Tales (1975), Alan in The Gentle Hook, (National tour 1975), and title-role in Hamlet (Derby 1975). TV includes: William Rossetti in The Love School, title-role in The Anarchist, Churchill's People and The Survivors. Film includes: Bruges la Morte (1975). This season: Hitler in Schwelyk.

PIPPA GUARD... Mopsa
Born in Edinburgh, she has recently completed her training at RADA. This is her first professional engagement. This season Lady in Romeo and Juliet, Maid in Much Ado About Nothing.

JUDITH HARTE ...Second Lady
Work includes: Has appeared with Manchester Library, Lincoln, Harrogate, Canterbury and Birmingham rep. Araminta in The Farmer's Wife, Chorus Leader in The Bacchae, Lavinia in The Cocktail Party, and other roles at Ipswich Arts (1967-71). Elizabeth in Richard III (Ludlow Festival 1968), Lady Macduff in Macbeth with the Prospect Theatre Company. TV work includes Crossroads, Film: Fiddler on the Roof. Appeared in Der Meistersinger at Covent Garden. This season Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet.

DAVID HOWEY ...Dion
Work includes: After two seasons with Sheffield Playhouse joined the National Theatre playing Legendre in Danton's Death and Clegthorpe in Jumpers (1970-72). He returned to the National in 1974 to play Oliver in As You Like It on their North American tour. Lindsay in Armstrong's Last Goodnight and the Son in Bingo (both at Northcott Exeter 1973), Doc in The Conformer, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, (both Crucible, Sheffield 1975), Mortimer in Brecht's Edward II (Bush and Young Vic 1975). Has made several film and TV appearances. This season Sampson in Romeo and Juliet, Watch in Much Ado About Nothing.

GRIFFITH JONES ...Antigonus
Work includes: A long and distinguished career in the theatre. Among his most recent parts: The Count in The Cavern (Globe 1966), Sir Colenso Ridgeon in The Doctor's Dilemma (Comedy 1966), Baptista in The Taming of the Shrew (Nottingham 1974), Sir Peter Teazle in School for Scandal (Crucible, Sheffield 1974), Glendower in Henry IV Part I, Lord Chief justice in Henry IV Part 2 (RSC Stratford and London 1975/6), Lord Stanley in Perkin Warbeck and Richard III (RSC Other Place 1975), Ghost in Hamlet (RSC Other Place and Round House 1975/6). Films include: They Made Me a Fugitive, Decline and Fall, Miranda. Many TV appearances including Spy Trap (1974), Public Eye (1974), The Applecart (1975). He is the father of Gemma Jones and Nicholas Jones This season Escalus in Romeo and Juliet.

BARBARA LEIGH-HUNT ...Paulina
Work includes: Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Portia in The Merchant of Venice (Old Vic 1960), appearances in repertory in Nottingham, Guildford and Lowestoft then joined Bristol Old Vic in 1962. There she has played many leading roles including Rosemary in A Severed Head (also seen in London 1963), Hedda Gabler, Victoria in Portrait of a Queen, Lady Macbeth (1969), Amanda in Private Lives (1973), Isabella in Guthrie's Measure for Measure, Ophelia to Richard Pasco's Hamlet, Anita Hill in Mrs. Mouse Are You Within? (London and T.V. 1968/9). For RSC played Madge Larrabee in Sherlock Holmes (1973 /5), Nadya in Travesties (1974), Queen Elizabeth in Richard III (The Other Place 1975) and Mistress Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Stratford and Aldwych1975/6). Films include: Frenzy, The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1971), A Bequest to the Nation (1972). Extensive TV includes Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer (1966), Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (1970), Mrs Gaskill in The Brontes (1973), Emergency Channel, Love Lies Bleeding (1976).

CHERIE LUNGHI ...Perdito
Work includes: Began her career as a child playing Hedvig in The Wild Duck and Alice in Alice In Wonderland for BBC radio. After training at Central School, joined the University Theatre, Newcastle, where parts included: Kitty in Thark, Lisa in Owners, Irina in Three Sisters (all 1973/4.). Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer, Canterbury Tales (both Nottingham Playhouse), Laura in Teeth 'n' Smiles (Royal Court). TV includes The Valiant Varneys (BBC), A Pretty Row of Pretty Ribbons (BBC), Dr Finlay's Casebook (BBC), Shades of Greene (Thames), Jackanory (BBC). This season Hero in Much Ado About Nothing.

DAVID LYON ...Archidamus
Work includes: Trained at Central School of Speech and Drama. Has just complete a season at Library Theatre, Manchester where parts included Chris Keller in All My Sons, Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, and Georges Delachaurne in Dinner with the Family.

IAN McKELLEN ...Leontes
Work includes: Repertory, a former National Theatre member; West End appearances include A Lily in Little India (1966), title role in O'Flaherty V.C. (1966), The Promise (also in Oxford and New York 1967), Black Comedy (1968). Classical roles include title parts in Richard II, Edward II, Hamlet (all seen in London, on tour, and televised); a founder member of Actors' Company with whom appearances include: Giovanni in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, Victor in Ruling the Roost, Edgar in King Lear, Knots, The Wood Demon (1972 -4), Ashes (Young Vic and tour 1975). First appeared in Stratford as Dr Faustus (1975 also at Aldwych and on tour). Other work for RSC: Faulconbridge in King John, title role in The Marquis of Keith, Burglar in Too True to be Good (Aldwych and Globe). Directed A Private Matter (London 1963), and The Clandestine Marriage (Savoy 1975). TV includes title roles in David Copperfield (1966), Ross (1970), and Hamlet (1971), Tesman in Hedda Gabler (1972 and 1974). This season plays Romeo.

JOHN NAPIER... Designer of Permanent Staging
Work with RSC includes: Is an Associate Designer for the RSC and has designed King John, Richard II, Cymbeline, Macbeth, Hedda Gabler and Richard III (The Other Place). He also designed Terry Hands' production of Twelfth Night at the Comedic Francaise. Also The Ruling Class (Nottingham and London 1968), Fortune and Men's Eyes (London 1968), Early Morning (Germany 1969), Cancer, Bond's Lear (both Royal Court 1971), Julius Caesar (Young Vic), Macbeth (Birmingham Rep 1972), Equus (National Theatre 1974), Big Wolf (Royal Court 1972), Dr Who (London 1974.), Richard II (Vienna), George Freidric (Ballet Rambert 1970), The Devils of Loudon (Sadlers Wells 1973).

TREVOR NUNN ...Director
Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Royal Shakespeare Company, for which his work has included The Revenger's Tragedy, Tango, The Taming of the Shrew, The Relapse, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing (1968), The Winter's Tale, Henry VIII (1969), Hamlet (1970), The Romans (1972), Macbeth (1974.), Hedda Gabler (1975), Antony and Cleopatra (TV 1974), Hedda (film). Outside the RSC he directed The Caucasian Chalk Circle, View from the Bridge, Peer Gynt (all at Belgrade Coventry 1962/5). This season directed Romeo and Juliet.

BOB PECK ...Camillo
Work includes: Seasons with Scarborough Library Theatre, Birmingham Midlands Arts Company, and the Northcott, Exeter, where parts included Sir Epicure Mammon in The Alchemist, Inspector Truscott in Loot, Pat in The Hostage (1972), Old Alan in The Pope's Wedding, Shakespeare in Bingo (1973). Abercombie in Lift Class (Royal Court and Duke of York's 1974.). In 1975 joined RSC playing Mowbray in Henry IV Part 1, (Stratford), First Player and First Grave Digger in Hamlet, Surrey in Perkin Warbeck and Hastings in Richard III (The Other Place). Flashman (film), TV includes Sunset Over the Bay (1975). This season Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing; Himmler, Muller, Guard in Schweyk in the Second World War.

CLYDE POLLITT ...Cleomenes
Work includes: Jeppe in Jeppe of the Mountain (Pitlochry 1966), Stanley in The Roses of Eyam (Exeter 1970), Sam in A Heart and Minds Job (Hampstead 1971), Henry in The Fantasticks (Hampstead 1970). Has done extensive television work. Rev. Davies in The Flying Alan (film). This season Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet, Watch in Much Ado About Nothing.

LEONARD PRESTON ...Shepherd's Servant
Work includes: Born in Yorkshire. Became a member of the National Youth Theatre, playing Fulcher in The Apprentices and Claudio in Measure for Measure. Completed his studies at Central School in 1975 and has since played the title role in Bilty Liar at Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke. This season Gregory in Romeo and Juliet, Watch in Much Ado About Nothing.

ROGER REES... Young Shepherd
Work includes: Appearances with RSC include Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor (1968), Damashke in The Plebeians, Stephen Undershaft in Major Barbara (both Aldwych 1970), Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Roderigo in Othello (both 1971),  Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice, Balin in The Island of the Mighy (both 1972/3), Young Courtly in London Assurance (USA 1974/5). Work with the Cambridge Theatre Company: Young Marlow in She Stoops to Conquer, The Brother in Brecht's Fears and Miseries in the Third Reich, Pierre in the British premiere of Ionesco's Aunt Salty, Kit in French without Tears, Simple Simon in Jack and the Beanstalk (all 1972/3), Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest and Stanley in The Birthday Party (both 1975). Played Vosco in Paradise at the Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court (1975). Most recent TV work: Willie in Ruth Jabyala's Place of Peace (Granada), Simon in A Bouquet of Barbed Wire (LWT), Razumov in Stuart Burge's adaptation of the Conrad novel Under Western Eyes (BBC). This season Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet.

DI SEYMOUR ...Designer
Work includes: Arts Council bursary to Royal Court (1970-71), since then worked extensively in Fringe and Studio theatres, most recent work includes: Fanshen (joint Stock), A Man's A Man (Hampstead), Events Following the Closure of a Motorcycle Factory (Birmingham Studio), Schweyk in the Second World War (RSC's Other Place this season). In 1974 received an Arts Council Bursary to study Contemporary Theatre in The People's Republic of China.


MARILYN TAYLERSON ...Hermione
Work includes: Was brought up in Salisbury, and after training at RADA returned there to spend six months with the Salisbury Playhouse. Played Ophelia at the Ludlow Festival after appearing with Sheffield Rep, came to London as Lydia Languish in The Rivals, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Regent's Park 1971). joined Prospect Company, playing Lady Anne in Richard III, Anna in Ivanov, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Thaisa/ Marina in Pericles (London and European tour). TV includes: Amelia in Vanity Fair, Rosamund in Middlemarch (both BBC), Country, Matters, The Haunting and Twelfth Night and The Linden Tree (both BBC Plays of the Month). This season Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing.

FRANCES VINER ...Dorcas
Work includes: Fantasy Woman in Jack (Edinburgh Festival and Act Inn); season with Theatre Royal, York where roles include Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard, Sally in Love on the Dole, Female Voice in Self Accusation (also seen at Young Vic); Gypsy in The Beaux Strategem, (Belgrade); Beth in Landscape, Ellen in Silence, Catharine in Wuthering Heights, Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew (all Gateway, Chester); Jailer's Daughter in Two Noble Kinsmen (Regent's Park); Lise in Cyrano de Bergerac (Chichester); played herself (Ecce Egoist) in You and Me Here We Are (Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham). This season Anna and Young Woman in Schweyk in the Second World War.

DAVID WALLER ...Old Shepherd
Work includes: The Doctor in The Miracle Worker (London 1961), title role in Sergeant Musgrave's Dance (Coventry, 1963);  many major roles for the RSC including Harry Belcher in Belcher's Luck, Parson Manders in Ghosts, Duff in Landscape (1969 and 1973), Claudius in Hamlet, title role in Dr Faustus (Theatregoround), Bottom in Peter Brook's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Stratford, Aldwych and Broadway, 1970/71), Edward in A Slight Ache, Senator Caldwell in Section Nine (The Place 1973, and Aldwych), Father Montilla in The Bewitched, Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Escalus in Measure for Measure (both 1974). Films include Work is a Four Letter Word and Bloody Sunday. TV appearances include: Staff Room, The Piano Player and Helen --A Woman of Today (all 1972-3). This season Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet.

MICHAEL WILLIAMS ...Autolycus
Work includes: for the RSC Dromio in The Comedy of Errors, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Bassanio in The Merchant of' Venice, Orlando in As You Like It, Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, Herald in Marat/Sade, Fool in King Lear, Arthur in Tango, Ferdinand in The Duchess of Malfi, Henry in Henry V, Charles Courtly in London Assurance, and Ian in Jingo. Films include Marat/Sade, Eagle in a Cage and Dead Cert. Recent TV appearances include: Granada's six part serial A Raging Calm, BBC's Elizabeth R and Yorkshire Television's serial The Hanged Man. Most recent stage appearances for the University Theatre, Newcastle, in a new play Scribes, and as Private Meek in RSC's Too True to be Good at Globe Theatre. This season Schweyk in Schweyk in the Second World War.

JOHN WOODVINE... Polixenes
Work includes: Has appeared with the Old Vic, the Bristol Old Vic and the Mermaid Theatre (where parts included the title role in Macbeth) Played Claudius to Ian McKellen's Hamlet (London 1971), Joe Lives (Greenwich 1971) and in the West End played Cutler Walpole in The Doctor's Dilemma, Jacky in Close the Coal House Door, and Mr Ormsby in Poor Horace (1974). Spent 1973-4 with the Actors' Company where parts included Orlovsky in The Wood Demon, Kent in King Lear. Films include The Devils, Young Winston, Assault on Agathon (1974). Among his extensive TV appearances, roles in New Scotland Yard (LWT 1971-3 and 1975), Sit- Francis Drake in Elizabeth R (BBC), Macduff in Macbeth (BBC), Churchill's People, Randall Pironett in An Unofficial Rose (BBC 1975). This season Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing.

PETER WOODWARD... Mariner, Shepherd
Trained at RADA after appearing with the National Youth Theatre (1972-3). Has since worked as a Stage Manager and as a theatrical Fight Director. This is his first professional engagement as an actor. This season Page and Fight Director for Romeo and Juliet, Officer in Much Ado About Nothing.

GUY WOOLFENDEN ...Composer
Work includes: As music director of RSC has composed scores for over 50 productions including every Shakespeare play except Cymbeline, The Comedy of Errors and The Two Gentlemen of Verona -- has made two records of his RSC music. Also wrote music for Man is Man (The Other Place and The Round House, 1975/6) and Schweyk in the Second World War (The Other Place this season). Principal conductor Liverpool Mozart Orchestra, Motley College Symphony Orchestra, and Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra, and has made guest appearances with the Winnipeg Symphony orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra;  assistant director of Moses and Aaron (Covent Garden 1975). Has written music for the Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussauds, feature films, many TV plays (including the RSC's Antony and Cleopatra) a musical What a Way to Run a Revolution! and Terry Hands' productions of Richard III, Pericles and Twelfth Night at the Comedic Francaise.

Understudies:
Dennis Clinton Old Shepherd
Lea Dregorn 1st and 2nd Lady/Mopsa/Dorcas
Susan Dury Hermione
Pippa Guard Perdita
Judith Harte Emilia
Greg Hicks Young Shepherd/Archidamus
David Howey Leontes
Clyde Pollitt Antigonus
Leonard Preston Autotycus
Barbara Shelley Paulina
Jacob Witkin Camillo
Peter Woodward Florizell/Shepherd's Servant