Full Casting Announced for RSC's Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from Friday 11 October – Saturday 23 November. Directed by Tim Carroll. 

Preview 

‘Men should be what they seem.’ 

Jealousy kills. 

Othello is at the peak of his powers: not only Venice’s greatest general, but now husband to the noble and beautiful Desdemona. But he does not know that in passing over his servant Iago for promotion, he has created a deadly – and brilliant – enemy.  

Full casting is announced for the RSC’s forthcoming production of Shakespeare’s Othello with the

Tony award-nominated actor John Douglas Thompson (Till, Theatre for A New Audience’s The Merchant of Venice) making his RSC debut in the title role of Othello. Will Keen (The Crown, Wolf Hall) plays Iago, Juliet Rylance (McMafia, Perry Mason) as Desdemona and Anastasia Hille as Emilia. 

John Douglas Thompson plays Othello. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Joining them are Al Barclay (Lodovico), Scott Brooksbank (Montano), Ricardo Castro (Messenger), John Paul Connolly (Duke of Venice), Jason Eddy (Sailor), Kevin N Golding (Clown), Edward Hogg (Cassio), Colin Hurley (Brabantio), Madeleine Hyland (Bianca), Graham Mackay-Bruce (Senator), Johan Munir (Officer), Jonathan Oliver (Gratiano), Finlay Paul (Ensemble), Andrew Price (Senator), Claire Redcliffe (Ensemble) and Jethro Skinner (Roderigo). 

You can read the full biographies of the cast and creatives on the RSC website.

Will Keen plays Iago. Photo courtesy of the artist.

This new production is directed by Tim Carroll (Artistic Director of Canada’s Shaw Festival and director of the award-winning Twelfth Night and Richard III featuring Mark Rylance at Shakespeare’s Globe, in the West End and on Broadway). In 2008 he directed The Merchant of Venice for the RSC.  

Director, Tim Carroll, said: “It’s a big thing to be asked to direct one of the great plays by one of the great theatre companies. I came into theatre because I wanted Shakespeare to be at the centre of my life, so of course I have always felt a deep affinity with the RSC. It is the world’s meeting place for everyone who loves these miraculous plays. 

“To be in at the beginning of such a profoundly important new chapter in the life of the company is a deep privilege: I am so inspired by Daniel and Tamara’s vision for what the RSC can be. The fact that so many amazing actors have signed on to that vision says everything. I can’t wait to be part of this story.” 

Juliet Rylance plays Desdemona. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The creative team for Othello consists of Tim Carroll (Director), Judith Bowden (Set and Costume Designer), Paule Constable (Lighting Designer), James Oxley (Composer), Donato Wharton (Sound Designer), Alexis Milligan (Movement Director), Kev McCurdy (Fight Director) and Matthew Dewsbury CDG and Martin Poile CDG (Casting Directors). 

For tickets, full biographies of cast and creatives and to learn of special performances and Director’s and Post Show Talks etc., please go to the RSC website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/  Box office 01789 331111.