Further casting for the upcoming UK tour of Gore Vidal’s The Best Man has been confirmed. 

Martin Shaw is William Russell, esteemed ex-Secretary of State and a US presidential candidate with a philandering reputation.

Jeff Fahey is Joseph Cantwell, an ambitious populist newcomer, opposing Russell for the party nomination.

Neck and neck, the only thing that separates the candidates are the endorsements from a respected Ex-President (Jack Shepherd) and party big-wig (Gemma Jones). As the race heats up the campaigns gets personal, involving Russell’s estranged wife Alice (Glynis Barber) and Cantwell’s wife Mabel (Honeysuckle Weeks) and drawing on all the resources of Russell’s campaign manager (Anthony Howell). But where does compromise end and corruption begin? How far will they go to be the most powerful man in the world and who in the end will be proven to be “the best man”?

 Joining the previously announced Martin Shaw, the production is set to star Jack Shepherd, Glynis Barber, Honeysuckle Weeks, Jeff Fahey and Anthony Howell. 

Further casting includes: Emma Campbell-Jones, Jim Creighton, Simon Hepworth, Ian Houghton, Craig Pinder, David Tarkenter, Alice Offley and Samuel Donnelly.

The production is directed by Simon Evans, with set and costume design by Michael Taylor, lighting design by Chris Davey and composition and sound design by Ed Lewis.

During the tour, the production will visit the theatre Royal Windsor, Theatre Royal Brighton, Richmond Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, Cambridge Arts Theatre, and Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre, prior to a West End run.

The Best Man will open at the  Theatre Royal Windsor on Tuesday 12 September and will tour until the 28th October. To book tickets visit: ATG Tickets.