Hamlet will play in repertory to Nov. 15, then transfer to open the RSC's London season at the Novello Theatre, running Dec. 3, 2008-Jan 10, 2009, with a press night on Dec. 9.
Tennant, who is best known for his TV performance in the title role of the ongoing BBC series "Dr. Who," previously appeared with the RSC in The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, The Rivals and The General from America. He will also appear this season in a new production, also directed by Doran, of Love's Labour's Lost, joining the repertoire from Oct. 2-Nov. 15. RSC Honorary Associate Stewart returns to the RSC — fresh from his Broadway stint in the transfer of the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Macbeth — to play the Ghost and Claudius. He first worked for the company in 1966, and his most recent roles include Antony in Antony and Cleopatra and Prospero in The Tempest.
Tennant and Stewart are joined onstage by Penny Downie as Gertrude (who last appeared with the RSC when she played Penelope in Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad), Oliver Ford-Davies as Polonius (who first appeared with the RSC in 1975), John Woodvine as the Player King (who most recently appeared with the company in 1999 when he played Flavisu in Timon of Athens) and Mariah Gale as Ophelia (currently playing Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Stratford, and in 2006 played Miranda in The Tempest).
Also in the ensemble are David Ajala (Reynaldo), Sam Alexander (Rosencrantz and Second Gravedigger), Edward Bennett (Laertes), Ricky Champ (Lucianus), Ewen Cummins (Barnardo), Robert Curtis (Franciso), Tom Davey (Guildenstern), Peter De Jersey (Horatio), Samuel Dutton (Lord), Ryan Gage (Oscric), Mark Hadfield (Gravedigger), Jim Hooper (Priest), Keith Osborn (Marcellus), Roderick Smith (Lord and Captain), Andrea Harris (Lady), Riann Steele (Lady) and Zoe Thorne (Lady and Player).
The entire Stratford run is sold out, but for the policy on returns and day seats, contact the box office at 0844 800 1110 or visit www.rsc.org.uk.