Theatre fans can look forward to an exciting and challenging mix of classical, experimental and original theatre in the spring and summer season and also some major stars.
Sir Ian McKellen comes to Stratford as part of an ensemble performing King Lear and Chekhov's The Seagull, under the direction of the acclaimed Trevor Nunn.
The two have a long relationship having worked together on Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Othello, among others.
McKellen, who has most recently appeared on the big screen in the Da Vinci Code and as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings, will take the roles of Lear and Sorin; the latter being taken on a shared basis.
Appearing as Goneril and Arkadina is Frances Barber.
King Lear opens on March 24 and runs to June 21 while The Seagull starts on April 17 and finishes on June 23.
Also returning to Stratford is director Tim Supple's A Midsummer Night's Dream, performed in seven languages.
The play was two years in production and is a something of a visual treat with actors, dancers, martial artists, musicians, and street acrobats from India comprising the cast.
The play has toured India, having previously been performed at Stratford as part of the Complete Works Season and has garnered critical acclaim along the way. A Midsummer Night's Dream runs from April 25 to May 19.
After raising hell in the Merry Wives, Falstaff continues his antics in Henry IV parts 1 and 2, with David Warner taking on the famous role.
Warner returns to the RSC after a 40 year abscence.
Shakespeare's Macbeth can be contrasted with Euggene Ionesco's Macbett, which is a satirical reworking of the Scottish play written during the Cold War.
Macbeth runs from April 11 to July 21 while MacBett is from May 25 to July 21.
The RSC is also backing new theatre and has comissioned Adriano Shaplin, director of New York's Riot Group, to write a play for the Histories ensemble. His previous work includes The Pugilist Specialist which won an award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2003. He has been appointed as the first international writer in residence at the RSC, working in partnership with Warwick University.
Call 0870 603 1110 for tickets or visit:
www.rsc.org.uk .
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