London's Marylebone Theatre will present a benefit performance of William Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis November 17.

Three-time Tony winner Mark Rylance (Boeing-Boeing, Jerusalem, Twelfth Night) and Tony winner Derek Jacobi (Much Ado About Nothing) will star.

In a statement Rylance said, “In the early 1990s I was a month away from performing Venus and Adonis when the production had to be cancelled. Thirty years later, I am excited to be revisiting my plans to play Shakespeare's first known published work as part of a gala fundraiser for the Marylebone Theatre. This excellent new venue, of which I am a patron, stages original, wonderful plays, often in verse. I am delighted that my dear friend Derek Jacobi will be joining on stage to support a venue with a unique calling to explore and refresh the great classical tradition.”

Marylebone Artistic Director Alexander J. Gifford added, "As the Marylebone Theatre approaches its second birthday, I am proud to be announcing a season which combines the urgently political with the eternally poetic. Venus and Adonis is perhaps the most exquisite long poem in the English language. Performed by two of Shakespeare's greatest modern interpreters, Sir Mark Rylance and Sir Derek Jacobi, it will be the centerpiece of a gala fundraiser, whose goal is to secure the Marylebone's future as a major, new producing house. Alongside it, we will be presenting two U.K. premieres, delivered by world-class directors, Maxim Didenko and Patrick Marber. I hope our new season consolidates our reputation as an important, new venue and that more and more people come through our doors to enjoy our unique offering of relevant, potent and artistically excellent work."

The fundraiser is part of an autumn-winter season that includes The Last Word, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, A Sherlock Carol, I Digress, and the exhibition Long Shadows, Bright World.

Visit MaryleboneTheatre.com.