Jonathan Groff to Headline a Bold All-Male AS YOU LIKE IT at the Royal Shakespeare Company

Tony Award-winning Broadway and screen star Jonathan Groff will make a major return to classic theatre in a striking new production of William Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT for the Royal Shakespeare Company later this year. The Stratford-upon-Avon staging, set for 26 September to 7 November 2026 with a press night on 6 October, will feature an all-male cast in one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies.

Under the direction of RSC co-artistic director Daniel Evans, the production marks Groff’s debut with the company, giving audiences a rare opportunity to see Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy in an Elizabethan-inspired whole-male performance. The decision hearkens back to early theatrical traditions where male actors played all roles, including female characters, and promises a fresh take on gender, identity, and comedy.

Groff, celebrated for his Broadway work including SPRING AWAKENING, HAMILTON, and MERRILY WE TOLL ALONG, expressed his excitement in unmistakable terms on being offered the role of Rosalind. He revealed that his reaction to Daniel Evans’s invitation was, in his words, “Holy f****** s**t,” reflecting both his awe at the opportunity and his deep connection to Shakespeare’s work. He also shared that his first visit to Stratford-upon-Avon in 2019 to see a gender-swapped production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW had a profound impact on him.

Rosalind is one of Shakespeare’s most vibrant and central characters, and Groff’s casting represents both a challenge and a celebration of the play’s fluid approach to gender. In AS YOU LIKE IT, Rosalind is banished from Duke Frederick’s court and travels to the Forest of Arden with her cousin Celia. There she adopts a male disguise, Ganymede, to navigate life and love, blurring lines of identity in ways that align closely with the playful energy of this all-male production.

Joining Groff in the cast is actor Fisayo Akinade in the role of Celia. More casting announcements and details about the creative team are expected in the coming months. The production forms part of the RSC’s broader 2026 season, which also includes other ambitious works such as an all-female revival of JULIUS CAESAR starring Harriet Walter and new adaptations of MIDDLEMARCH and THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

Director Daniel Evans praised Groff’s ability to connect deeply with audiences, highlighting qualities such as generosity, emotional openness, and a commitment to authentic performance. In Evans’s view, these traits make Groff particularly suited to the demands of Rosalind, a character who combines wit, intelligence, and emotional depth. He has described this iteration of AS YOU LIKE IT as a joyful and playful exploration of Shakespeare’s themes of love in all its forms and a chance to inspire modern conversations about identity and connection.

For Groff, the part offers a chance to revisit his theatrical roots while stepping squarely into the complexities of Shakespearean comedy. After years of performing mostly in New York theatre, his return to Stratford for this role holds both personal and artistic significance. He noted that early preparation work with Evans and voice director Patsy Rodenburg has already been exhilarating, setting the stage for what he anticipates will be a deeply rewarding experience.

The choice to present AS YOU LIKE IT with an all-male cast places the production in a broader conversation about gender and performance, inviting audiences to consider how identity is constructed and expressed on the stage. It also offers a counterpoint to recent trends in Shakespeare productions that have embraced gender-swapped casting and other forms of reimagining classic roles. By returning to a model closer to original Elizabethan practice, the RSC aims to highlight the play’s inherent fluidity and the enduring power of its comedy.

AS YOU LIKE IT remains a favourite in the Shakespearean canon, beloved for its wit, warmth, and reflections on life’s myriad forms of love. The story’s blend of romance and humour, combined with its memorable moments such as the famed “All the world’s a stage” speech, continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. The Forest of Arden, as a setting, becomes a space where conventional boundaries are suspended and where characters pursue both self-discovery and connection.

As the RSC prepares to open this unique production, anticipation is building among theatre lovers worldwide. With Groff’s star power, an innovative approach to casting, and the timeless appeal of Shakespeare’s text, this autumn’s AS YOU LIKE IT promises to be a landmark event in the company’s season. Whether for longtime Shakespeare enthusiasts or newcomers to the Bard’s work, the production will offer a fresh and engaging theatrical experience that bridges tradition with contemporary relevance.

Tickets go on sale in stages beginning in March, with priority access for members and supporters before general public booking opens. Audiences planning to travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to see the show are encouraged to book early, as excitement continues to grow around this bold reinterpretation of a classic comedy.