Othello Tickets

Under the direction of Barrie Rutter, Lenny Henry will be arriving at the Trafalgar Studios this September as his famous take on Othello transfers to a London stage. Already a huge hit at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Othello will also star a great cast that will bring the Shakespeare classic to life, including David Beckford, Matt Connor, Andy Cryer, Victoria Gee, Jessica Harris, Geoff Leesley, Conrad Nelson, Chris Pearse, Simon Holland Roberts, Sara Poyzer and Richard Standing.

Henry will play the title role, which he has taken on in a bid to improve his acting abilities for the stage and on screen. But he is well known for being a nationally recognised comedian, with a career that has spanned over thirty years, starting with the talent show New Face in 1976. Since then he has appeared all over the world performing stand up and appearing on television screens. His credits include The Young Ones (1984), Chef! (1993-96), Hope & Glory (1999) and more recently as a host on BBC’s Live At The Apollo (2009). His work has allowed him to reach the honour of being labelled in the top 50 of the greatest comedians of all time. But Henry is also well known for his marriage to comedienne Dawn French, one half of the double act French and Saunders and star of The Vicar of Dibley.

His director Barrie Rutter has also had a long career that allowed him to receive the title of “Creative Briton 2000”. He is the Artistic Director of the Northern Broadsides Theatre Company, which is presenting the play, and has made numerous television appearances in the likes of Fat Friends (2004-5), Astronauts (1981) and the movie version of Porridge (1979).

Everyone is in some way familiar with the story of Othello, the Shakespearean classic that originated in 1603. It tells of a General (the title character) who is in service in Venice. It is a story of jealousy as Othello falls in love with the beautiful Desdemona, becoming increasingly envious of the situation. But his friend Iago is also jealous after he promotes Michael Cassio into the position of Personal Lieutenant. Murder and betrayal follow, with the play eventually reaching a chilling climax.

Othello is at the Trafalgar Studios from Friday 11th September 2009 to Saturday 12th December 2009.