OVO has today announced the 14 members of its first-ever repertory company, who will appear in three major productions during the summer and autumn of 2026. The ensemble will lead a season featuring Sherlock Holmes, The Importance of Being Earnest, and As You Like It.
All three productions will be presented at the 12th Annual Roman Theatre Open Air Festival in St Albans between June and August, before OVO’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest embarks on a nationwide tour from August to November.
The inaugural rep company comprises: Grace Bassett (Doc Martin, ITV), Hannah Brownlie (The Salt Path, Number 9 Films), Tom Cagnoni (Billie The Kid, Vaudeville Theatre), Charlie Clee (Troilus And Cressida, Globe Theatre), Anna MacLeod Franklin (The Mystery of Mr E, Amazon), Nathan French (Snow White, South Mill Arts), Lyle Fulton (Mosquitoes, Chichester Festival Theatre), Max Gallagher (War Horse, National Theatre), Keith Lynch (Blue Lights, BBC), Lachlan McCall (The Talented Mr Ripley, UK tour), Jessica Vickers (Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, Sonia Friedman Productions), Charlotte Ware (Cinderella, Gorleston Pavilion), David Widdowson (As You Like It, Minack Theatre), and Evie Joy Wright (Humbug, The Vaults).
The 2026 Roman Theatre Open Air Festival kicks off on 5 June with OVO’s thrilling new mash up of Sherlock Holmes, adapted and directed by Royal Television Society award-winner (2025), Mark O’Sullivan. OVO Founder and Artistic Director, Adam Nichols then takes the reins for a reimagined 1920s musical adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest (in July), followed by a vibrant and uplifting interpretation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It (through August).
Nichols commented: “I'm delighted we are blazing a trail with our new resident acting company. We hope it will demonstrate that the repertory model is not a twentieth century relic, but rather a commercially sustainable and much needed contemporary solution to the short-term, fragmented nature of theatre employment - and, in time, increase meritocracy and diversity in our industry.”
Now in its 12th year, OVO’s flagship Roman Theatre Open Air Festival has become a cornerstone of the UK's outdoor theatre calendar, welcoming over 16,000 visitors every summer.
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium dating from 140AD is believed to be the oldest theatre in the country still producing theatre today, and provides a breathtaking venue for this summer’s festival of theatre, music and comedy.
Tickets are on sale now priced from £15. Festival Season Tickets are also available now priced from £80.
For more details visit www.ovo.org.uk
