"…one of the best I have seen…belongs to that theatre’s distinctive tradition. Spare but incisive. Cutting to the quick. It does not impose: it unlocks."
★★★★ Susannah Clapp, The Observer
"Director Richard Twyman’s riveting production excels at depicting the racial and religious tensions underlying Othello and Desdemona’s peril"
★★★★ Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
"Wonderful….a rich night of theatre. Richard Twyman stages one of western literature’s most brutal scenes with terrifying crystalline clarity"
★★★★ Kris Hallett, What's On Stage
One of Shakespeare's most timeless plays is made ever more relevant with this contemporary re-setting, a Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory co-production directed by Richard Twyman, Artistic Director for English Touring Theatre.
RADA graduate, Abraham Popoola, takes the title role as a Muslim general, facing difficult decisions and watching his life unravel when employed by a western colonial power to lead their army against a Turkish invasion.
This masterful depiction of a life torn apart by racism and the destructive nature of prejudice features a cast whose stage credits include performances in 'Hamlet' at the Globe, 'The Alchemist' and 'Othello' for the RSC and 'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot at the Almeida.
Explore the themes further with free day festival The Othello Project on Saturday 20th May.
Cast
Ghazwan Alsafadi Montano
Christopher Bianchi Duke/Gratiano
Alan Coveney Brabantio
Piers Hampton Cassio
Hayat Kamille Bianca
Mark Lockyer Iago
Brian Lonsdale Roderigo
Norah Lopez Holden Desdemona
Abraham Popoola Othello
John Sandeman Lodovico
Katy Stephens Emilia
with Joel Macey, Zachary Powell and Kenton Thomas
Production
Richard Twyman Director
Georgia Lowe Designer
Giles Thomas Composer and Sound Designer
Matthew Graham Lighting Designer
Floriana Dezou Assistant Director
Abdul-Rehman Malik Creative Adviser
Produced by Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, Tobacco Factory Theatres and English Touring Theatre