Mark Rylance among actors calling on Old Vic to cut links with fossil fuel investor

Paapa Essiedu and Stephen Dillane also sign open letter urging theatre to end Royal Bank of Canada's support over its shares in fuel and arms

Actors including Mark Rylance, Paapa Essiedu and Stephen Dillane have signed an open letter calling on the Old Vic theatre to cut ties with a major sponsor over its links to fossil fuels, the Observer can reveal.

Signed by dozens of actors, playwrights, directors and other creatives, the letter calls on the historic London theatre to end links with its principal financial partner, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). The contract is up for renewal this year.