Ncuti Gatwa will perform excerpts of work by William Shakespeare for the Coronation Concert, in partnership with The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal College of Music, and The Royal College of Art.

We all know Gatwa as the upcoming Fifteenth Doctor, but he actually received an Ian Charleson Commendation for playing Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at the Home Theatre, Manchester; he also played Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe.

In fact, you can enjoy a snippet of the latter via the Globe…

He’ll appear in this special one-off performance with Mei Mac, alongside principal dancers with The Royal Ballet, Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambé, who will perform a bespoke piece of choreography for the occasion.

We’re yet to hear which plays will be represented in the Shakespeare section of the concert.

The full concert will be hosted by The Curse of the Black Spot actor, Hugh Bonneville, who says:

“I’m delighted to be taking part in this unique event, celebrating the best of musical entertainment in honour of His Majesty’s coronation. In true British style, come rain or shine it will be a night to remember.”

The coronation of King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, is set for Saturday 6th May 2023, at Westminster Abbey, with full celebration stretching across the following weekend. As such, the Coronation Concert will take place the next day, 7th May 2023, in the grounds of Windsor Castle. 20,000 members of the public and invited guests are expected to attend. It will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, as well as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, so everyone will get to enjoy Gatwa and the wonderful Bard.