Ray Fearon: I just wanted to play the part

Ever since I was a young actor I wanted to be at the RSC. It was where I watched and learned from some of the greatest actors Simon Russell Beale, Robert Stephens, Kenneth Branagh – it was a school of excellence for me. I grew up at the RSC; I’ve been there as long as Greg, it’s my second home.

Ray Fearon as Othello with Richard McCabe as Iago
© RSC Browse and license our images

It was Steven Pimlott who got me to come to the RSC; he was Associate Director there when I started my first season in 1993 when we did The Merchant of Venice, Moby Dick and Murder in the Cathedral. Steven was a lovely man; he was the first person in your dressing room congratulating you after press night even for the shows he wasn’t the director for. I’d dedicate everything to him.

When I got the call from Mike (Michael Attenborough) asking me if I would do Othello I was doing a lot of film work and wasn’t sure if I should go back to the RSC or stay doing films, but I’m glad I did it. I didn’t realise I was the first black actor to play the role on the main RSC stage since Paul Robeson until later when they made more of it. I just wanted to play the part! 

 
Ray FearonHugh Quarshie

Ray Fearon

Ray Fearon has worked extensively for the RSC, playing the title role in Othello in 1999. he has also appeared in Romeo and Juliet, Pericles, Julius Caesar and most recently played Agamemnon in Hecuba. His other credits include playing Nathan Harding in Coronation Street and playing Firenze the centaur in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He also took part in the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Black History Month - October 2016

Join us in celebrating past performance and looking to the future of diversity in theatre. Follow our stories on our Black History Month blog and share your comments using #blackhistory

You may also like