Mark Rylance to Return to Shakespeare's Globe in Richard III and Twelfth Night

Mark Rylance will return to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where he served as the first artistic director from 1996 through 2006, to star in repertory productions of Richard III and Twelfth Night, according to the U.K.'s The Daily Mail. Rylance will play the title role in Richard III and Olivia in Twelfth Night. Both productions will be directed by Tim Carroll and performed in "original practice," meaning the cast will feature an entire male ensemble as originally done in Shakespeare's day.

Rylance earned Tony Awards for Jerusalem and Boeing, Boeing. He also appeared on Broadway in La Bete. His many other stage credits include Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, True West, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth. He previously played Olivia in a Globe production of Twelfth Night in 2002.

Richard III will begin its run on July 14, with Twelfth Night beginning on September 22. Rylance hopes to transfer the productions to the West End and later tour the U.S., but no plans have been confirmed at this time.

The Shakespeare’s Globe’s 2012 season begins on June 7 with Henry V, directed by Dominic Dromgoole and starring Jamie Parker.