Shakespeare Othello

Othello is the greatest general of his age. A fearsome warrior, loving husband and revered defender of Venice against its enemies. But he is also an outsider whose victories have created enemies of his own, men driven by prejudice and jealousy to destroy him. As they plot in the shadows, Othello realises too late that the greatest danger lies not in the hatred of others, but his own fragile and destructive pride. Iqbal Khan's ground-breaking production of Othello was the first RSC production to cast a black actor, Lucian Msamati, as Iago. RSC Associate Artist, Hugh Quarshie, returned to the Company to play the title role with Joanna Vanderham at Desdemona and Ayesha Dharker as Emilia. Press Reviews "The ensemble work here is terrific but it's the inspired playing, and the crucial shift of perspective, at the heart of the production that makes this event as electrifying as it is long overdue. " (The Daily Telegraph ????) "Iqbal Khan's gripping production has already made history by being the first at Stratford to cast a black actor as Iago. But I had not anticipated how many fascinating ideas such an imaginative piece of casting would provoke. Hugh Quarshie is an excellent Othello torn between ancient loyalties and his assimilationist position, between his aching love for Desdemona and his easily fostered insecurity... his strong Othello is reinforced by Lucian Msamati's outstanding Iago. Joanna Vanderham is a striking Desdemona, combining a tactile physicality with total devotion to Othello. " (The Guardian ????) "The production, with a palatial set designed and lit by Ciaran Bagnall, raises fascinating questions and grips throughout in what is a significant milestone for the RSC." (The Independent) "Iqbal Khan's compellingly fresh production casts at its heart two black actors. Lucian Msamati's charming, charismatic Iago sets out to destroy Hugh Quarshie's restrained and anti-heroic Othello out of an inexplicable hatred that cannot easily be categorised as racism. [A] Compelling and freshly focused, anti-heroic and unlyrical production, packed with twists and surprises." (The Stage ????) Cast Hugh Quarshie ( Othello ) Joanna Vanderham (Desdemona) Lucian Msamati ( Iago) Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Cassio) Ayesha Dharker ( Emilia) James Corrigan ( Roderigo) Scarlett Brookes ( Bianca) Brian Protheroe (Brabantio) ProductionCompany: Royal Shakespeare CompanyStage Director: Iqbal KhanDesigner: Ciaran Bagnall Disc InformationCatalogue Number: OA1154DDate of Performance: 2015Running Time: 180 minutesSound: Dolby Stereo & Dolby Surround / LPCM & DTS Master Audio 5.1Aspect Ratio: 16:9 AnamorphicSubtitles: ENLabel: Opus Arte