Othello directed by Kathryn Hunter for the RSC.
When Othello, an African general working for the Venetian state, and Desdemona, a senator’s daughter, fall in love, they marry secretly knowing their union will not be approved. Their love should signal a celebration of difference, the triumph of love over prejudice and intolerance. Instead it is destroyed. In Othello, Shakespeare examines jealousy and the role of the outsider. A story of its time and for our time, it is urgent, gripping, radical and beautiful.
Taking the title role is Patrice Naiambana, who played the Earl of Warwick during the Histories Cycle at Roundhouse. He is joined by Natalia Tena, best known for her role as Tonks in the Harry Potter films, as Desdemona, while Michael Gould rejoins the company to play Iago.
Kathryn Hunter, recently appointed RSC Artistic Associate, returns to the RSC to direct. An acclaimed actress and director, Kathryn is an Associate Member of Theatre de Complicité with whom she won an Olivier Award for her performance in The Visit. As a director she has also worked with the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Court and Young Vic. Marcello Magni, a co-founder of Complicité will direct movement and also joins the company to play Roderigo.
Othello plays at the Hackney Empire in London from 10 – 14 February 2009 as part of a UK tour.
Additional information
Othello tours Coventry, Hackney, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Oxford and Liverpool between January and March 2009.
