As You Like It - Full Cast Announced

"There is a man haunts the forest, that abuses our young plants with carving 'Rosalind' on their barks."

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's most enchanting romantic comedies, in which good triumphs over evil, and true love - eventually - conquers all.

This production will transfer to Stratford-upon-Avon in March 2007 as part of the RSC Complete Works Festival.

Multi-award-winning actor Eve Best plays Rosalind. Best has recently completed a run of A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN opposite Kevin Spacey at The Old Vic - the production transfers to Broadway later this year. Best's other credits include HEDDA GABLER (Almeida Theatre and West End), MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA and THREE SISTERS (National Theatre) and 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE (Young Vic). Lisa Dillon returns to Sheffield following her role in IPHIGENIA (Ian Charleson Award and Critic's Circle Award for Best Newcomer - also for THE MASTER BUILDER) to play Celia. Dillon's other work includes PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT and HEDDA GABLER (both Almeida Theatre).

Sam Troughton plays Orlando. For theatre his work includes NATHAN THE WISE (Hampstead Theatre), BURIED CHILD and THE COAST OF UTOPIA - VOYAGE, SHIPWRECK AND SALVAGE (both National Theatre). His television and film work includes MESSIAH, ALIEN VS PREDATOR, VERA DRAKE and SYLVIA. Christopher Ravenscroft plays Duke Frederick and Duke Senior. His recent theatre credits include SUMMER AND SMOKE (Apollo Theatre), INVENTION OF LOVE (Salisbury Playhouse) and THE TEMPEST (Liverpool Playhouse). A familiar face on television, he is perhaps best known for his role in the long-running RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES as Detective Inspector Mike Burden. Other television credits include COURTROOM and MILE HIGH.

Samuel West directs. As Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres his directing credits include THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN. His other directing work includes THREE WOMEN AND A PIANO TUNER (Hampstead Theatre), COSI FAN TUTTE (ENO at the Barbican) and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES (Bristol Old Vic). As an actor, his credits at Sheffield include A NUMBER and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Designer Katrina Lindsay's credits include, CABARET (currently running at the Lyric Theatre), MARKET BOY (National Theatre) and FESTEN (Almeida Theatre, West End and Broadway). Lighting designs are by Peter Mumford who returns to Sheffield, where his previous work includes FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN.

Mumford's other theatre work includes, EXILES (National Theatre), RICHARD II (Old Vic), HEDDA GABLER and THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? (both Almeida and West End). Sound is by Paul Arditti, whose credits include BILLY ELLIOT (Victoria Palace - Olivier Award), MARKET BOY (National Theatre), THE CRUCIBLE (RSC and Gielgud Theatre), FESTEN (Almeida Theatre, West End and Broadway) and MARY STUART (Donmar and West End). Multi-award-winning composer of choral music, stage musicals, film and television scores and an award-winning broadcaster (most recently HOW MUSIC WORKS for Channel 4), Howard Goodall composes the music. Goodhall's television themes include MR BEAN, BLACKADDER, THE VICAR OF DIBLEY, RED DWARF, THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW and Q.I. -- www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk