Matt Lucas to star in BBC's A Midsummer Night's Dream
The BBC is making a new adaptation of Shakespeare's celebrated comic play A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Described as "a bold and accessible" adaptation, the new one-off 90 minute TV film will feature Matt Lucas in the role of Bottom. Writing on Twitter, the Little Britain and Pompidou star said he was "thrilled" to be taking on the famous role.
Meanwhile Maxine Peake is set to star as Titania, John Hannah will be Theseus, Eleanor Matsuura takes on the role of Hippolyta, and Hiran Abeysekera will play Puck.
Additionally, award-winning stage star Elaine Paige returns to television as Mistress Quince, One Foot In The Grave star Richard Wilson has signed up to play Starveling, Bernard Cribbins has been cast as Snout, Javone Prince will be Snug and Fisayo Akinade has been given the role of Flute.
Written by Shakespeare somewhere between 1590 and 1597, A Midsummer Night's Dream portrays the events surrounding a marriage. Included in the story is the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors.
Talking about its new version, the BBC explains: "A Midsummer Night's Dream is a much-loved play by William Shakespeare, set in the tyrannical court of Athens and the magical forest around the city. The BBC One drama is set to be funny, exciting and will have as much attitude and invention as any theatrical interpretation.
"The single drama will be for everyone: children, who can laugh at Bottom and his Mechanicals and marvel at the fairies' awesome powers; for adults, who know those broken hearts and star-crossed lovers all too well; for whole families, united in front of the television to enjoy the play's dazzling world of danger, jokes, scares, poetry, thrills and fun."
Former Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies is scripting the adaptation. He says: "This is such an exciting range of actors from stage and screen, from wild comedy to high drama, and some making their first ever appearance on camera. The Dream is coming to life like never before."
Filming will commence in Roath Lock, Cardiff, in October for transmission in 2016 as part of the BBC's Shakespeare Season.