British-Tanzanian actor Lucian Msamati is set to play Iago, Othello’s antagonist, in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production next year.
The play, which will be directed by renowned Shakespeare director Gregory Doran, will also star Ghanaian born actor Hugh Quarshie (Highlander, Star Wars Episode 1) in the title role, putting a unique twist on the original tale by casting two black leads.
Othello which usually showcases overt racial tension between the characters of Othello and Iago, traditionally starts a white Iago, to a black Othello. In previous renditions these roles have been reversed posing the question as to whether racism can go both ways. In 1997, Washington’s Shakespeare Theatre produced Othello, with an all white cast with the exception of Patrick Stewart who played Iago.
Having both Othello and Iago played by black actors, however, is something that has never been done before and has subsequently raised several eyebrows, questioning how the racial dynamic, which is integral to the play, will be incorporated.
Doran admits that his new interpretation is somewhat unorthodox, and perhaps a little ‘crazy’, but believes it is worth the pursuit.
“I know when I was watching it [in workshop] with a really good white Iago opposite Hugh I was thinking right, yes, I’ve seen this before terrific,” Doran told The Guardian. “But with Lucian, every line became freshly minted and it challenged the whole play in a way I found completely revelatory. It may be a completely crazy idea but I think it’s worth pursuing because in the end, as you watch it, you just watch two really, really good actors doing it and that is the major issue.”
Msamati, who previously starred in the popular television series Game of Thrones, told The Standard that he was ‘thrilled and honoured’ to be given the part.
“Back at the RSC, playing an iconic character, opposite one of the most distinguished actors in the country, under the watchful eye of a passionate, intelligent director? Dreams don’t get better than this,” he said.
In 1959, American actor Paul Robeson became the first black actor play Othello in an RSC production. He was succeeded by British-Jamaican actor Ray Fearon 40 years later in 1999.
Doran’s production of Othello will open next September in Shakespeare’s home town Stratford-Upon-Avon.
