Othello

Directed by Richard Twyman.

Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and Tobacco Factory Theatres present a season of plays that resonate powerfully with the modern world and are excited to welcome Richard Twyman, Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre, to direct one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies.

One of Shakespeare’s most startlingly contemporary plays, Othello is a masterful depiction of a life torn apart by racism and the destructive nature of prejudice.

Venice, a western colonial power, employs the newly-married Othello, a Muslim general, to lead their army against Turkish invasion. The difficulties of assimilating into a society riven by discrimination, fear and mistrust, soon begin to take their toll on Othello: manipulated by Iago, his life quickly unravels, and he turns on all he holds dear.

A truly timeless play, Othello speaks afresh to each society that comes to it: a warning weaved within the fabric of the tragedy, more urgent than ever, compelling us to look beyond divisions of race, religion or culture and acknowledge our universal humanity.