Ian Nicholson directs an all-black cast in Ignace Cornelissen’s cleverly distilled new version of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Othello in a translation by Purni Morell.
The full cast is Okorie Chukwu as Othello, Lawrence Walker as Iago, Ricky Fearon as Brabantio, Ronald Nsubuga as Cassio and Ayoola Smart as Desdemona.
Othello, the bold, brash, confident solider, and Desdemona, the Senator’s daughter, are truly in love – but not everyone is happy about it. And that is where the problem begins and tolerance ends.
Belgian playwright Cornelissen’s play was especially written for younger audiences, and this fast-paced and funny reworking of the classic text playfully explores many of the themes of Shakespeare’s original: pride, masculinity, jealously. With a light touch, this show reflects on the nature of men’s relationships, what ‘being a man’ really means, and how our flaws and feelings can blind us to the truth.
Othello is part of the Unicorn’s ongoing commitment to unlocking established works for a younger audience. Cornelissen’s previous works at the venue include the acclaimed Henry the Fifth, A Winter’s Tale and The Hunting Lodge.
Othello is at The Unicorn Theatre 3rd February – 3rd March 2018.
