ANCIENT ROME will come to Stratford next year, and an award-winning songwriter will write the music for a production of Anthony and Cleopatra .

Laura Mvula, who has been nominated for a Mercury award, will seek inspiration at the RSC with Shakespeare's tale of deadly politics and doomed love.

Bruce O’Neil, the RSC Head of Music said: "We commission new music for every production at the Royal Shakespeare Company, from some of the best composers in the business, and perform the music live.

"Shakespeare’s plays are full of music, and its importance as part of the theatrical experience in Stratford is reflected in a fine tradition of composing talent that goes back to the opening of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1879."

He added: "It’s a privilege to add Mira Calix and Laura Mvula to that list, and to welcome back Tim Sutton. I’m excited to hear what they create for our forthcoming Rome season.’

Singer-songwriter Laura Mvula will write the music for Antony and Cleopatra (11 March – 7 September) directed by Iqbal Khan. Laura’s second studio album The Dreaming Room was released in June 2016 to critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the 2016 Mercury Prize. .

Award-winning artist, composer and performer, Mira Calix, will compose the music for Angus Jackson’s Julius Caesar (3 March – 9 September).

Bruce said: "Mira is renowned for her integration of visual media and technological innovation to create multi-disciplinary installations and performance. She has worked with the London Sinfonietta, the Aldeburgh Festival, National Portrait Gallery, the Manchester International Festival and The Mayor of London. She has been the recipient of several awards including in 2009 a British Composer Award and the recipient of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award."

Tim Sutton is a musical director and composer for theatre and will be composing the music for Titus Andronicus (23 June – 2 September) directed by Blanche McIntyre.

Bruce said: "This year he has written and arranged music for the RSC’s The Two Noble Kinsmen, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (National Theatre), and Alexei Sayle’s Imaginary Sandwich Shop, (BBC Radio 4 Autumn 2016)."

To book tickets call 01789 403493 or online at www.rsc.org.uk