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OTHELLO
By William Shakespeare
MARKETING PACK
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Contents:
1. General Information/Contact Sheet (2)
2. Sample Press Release (3)
3. Touring Schedule (4)
4. Information Page on the show (5-6)
5. Othello Review (7)
6. Biographies (8-11)
7. Production Photos (12)
8. Past Shows (13-15)
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Date / August 2009
Icarus Theatre Collective and Original Theatre Company
co-present national tour of Shakespeare’s Othello
Othello, Moor of Venice
By William Shakespeare
Co-Produced & Directed by Max Lewendel
Produced by Alastair Whatley
Othello is a legend in his own lifetime, noble, brave, victorious. Honest Iago
fuels his venom with malignance and hateful contempt. Poignant, intense,
heartbreaking; Othello mercilessly explores every inch of the human condition.
Following on from the success of Shakespeare’s R&J and Kill Bill Macbeth, South
Hill Park Arts Centre presents a major new production of Shakespeare’s great
domestic tragedy co-produced with Icarus Theatre Collective and Original
Theatre Company.
Othello’s world will be brought vividly to life as a live string quartet and a
stunning ensemble cast combine with some of literature’s most vibrant
language and characters. A dangerous tale of ambition, jealousy and love will
unfurl as Shakespeare’s classic tale of deception hurtles to its dramatic and
poignant conclusion.
Producer Alastair Whatley explains that, “After exploring Romeo and Juliet with
school boys and Macbeth with Tarantino we have this year married Shakespeare
with live music to the most astonishing effect. It took months of casting to find
the actors who could also play the string instruments to such high standards.”
The play stars Vinta Morgan as Othello, a regular actor for The Royal
Shakespeare Company he has most recently finished playing in Romeo and Juliet
in Stratford Upon Avon, and the renowned Maltese actor Christopher Dingli as
Iago.
Othello is touring UK theatres during spring 2009 and is showing at the
[VENUE, TOWN] on [DATE]. To book tickets, contact the Box Office on [BOX
OFFICE NO.] or, for more details, visit
www.icarustheatre.co.uk
RELEASE ENDS / Word Count:279
EDITORS’ NOTES & FULL TOUR SCHEDULE FOLLOW /
For interviews, images, tickets and/or further information, please
contact Alastair at Original Theatre on telephone 01284735447, on
mobile 07957540097, or by email on [email protected]
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TOUR SCHEDULE /
Day
Wed-Sat
Thurs
Mon
Tue-Wed
Thu-Sat
Tues-Sat
Thur,Sat
Mon-Tue
Wed
Thu-Sat
Fri
Mon
Tue
WedThur
Wed
Thu
Fri-Sat
Fri
Mon-Tue
Tue
Date
18-26 Sept
24 Sept
21 Sept
29-30 Sept
01-03 Oct
06-10 Oct
08&10 Oct
12-13 Oct
14 Oct
15-17 Oct
16 Oct
19 Oct
20 Oct
21-22 Oct
22 Oct
28 Oct
29 Oct
30-31 Oct
30 Oct
02-03 Nov
03 Nov
Thu
05 Nov
Fri
Sat-Sun
Mon-Tue
Wed-Thu
Fri
Mon
Tue
Thu-Fri
Fri
Wed
06 Nov
07-08 Nov
09-10 Nov
11-12 Nov
13 Nov
16 Nov
17 Nov
19-20 Nov
20 Nov
25 Nov
Time
19.30
14.30
19.30
19.30
20.00
19.30
14.00
19.30
19.30
20.00
13.30
19.30
19.30
19.30
13.30
19.30
09.30
19.30
13.30
19.30
14.30
14.00
19.30
19.00
19.30
19.30
19.30
19.30
19.30
10.00
19.30
13.30
20.00
Venue
South Hill Park Arts Centre,
Wilde Theatre, Bracknell
Layard Theatre, Wimborne
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, Scotland
MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling, Scotland
Box Office
01202 847525
01592 583302
01786 466666
Harrogate Theatre, Yorkshire
01423 502116
Towngate Theatre, Basildon
Bishop's Stortford College
01268 465465
02032 397033
The Theatre, Chipping Norton
01608 642350
Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton
Arc Theatre, Trowbridge
New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, Postshow discussion 22 Oct, 4.45pm
01823 414141
0845 2990476
01344 484123
02392 649000
Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Scotland 01316 652240
Byre Theatre, St Andrews,
Scotland
01334 475000
Norwich Playhouse
01603 598598
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
01902 321321
The Broadway Barking, London
Rich Mix, London
Mumford Theatre, Cambridge
Uppingham Theatre
Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham
Eastwood Park Theatre
Post-Show discussion on Tues
Buxton Opera House
Post-Show discussion on Thu
Darlington Arts Centre
0208 5075607
0207 6137498
01223 352932
01572 820820
01242 258002
0141 5774970
0845 1272190
01325 486555
For interviews, images, tickets and/or further information, please
contact Alastair at Original Theatre on telephone 01284735447, on
mobile 07957540097, or by email on [email protected]
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WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S
The Tragedy of
OTHELLO
The Moor of Venice
Cast:
Othello: Vinta Morgan
Iago: Christopher Dingli
Desdemona/Sailor: Kate Colebrook
Emilia/Gratiano: Laura Durrant
Roderigo/Lodovico: Nick Holbek
Cassio/Brabantio :Charles de Bromhead
Bianca/Montano/Duke: Loren O'Dair
Creative Team:
Director/Co-Producer : Max Lewendel
Producer : Alastair Whatley
Set Design : Christopher Hone
Composer : Ron McAllister
Costume Design : Fiona Davis
LX Designer : Oliver Welsh
Sound Design : Tom Neill
Fight Director : Ronin Traynor
Movement Director : Ben Redfern
Assistant Director : Bethany Pitts
Production Manager : Steve Tyler
Stage Manager : Zachary Holton
Graphic Artist : John Good
The play runs for approximately 2hrs 45minutes including a 15
minute interval
Act 1: Venice
Act 2-5: Cyprus
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Some things one might wish to know:
1) This is the second collaboration between the Icarus Theatre
Collective and the Original Theater Company. Their first
collaboration, Vincent in Brixton, was extremely well received and
won huge acclaim and praise and extended its run into the
summer. Venues included Theatre Royal Windsor, Yvonne Arnaud
in Guildford and Devonshire Park in Eastbourne.
2) Both companies are associate companies at South Hill Park and will
collaborate again in 2010 on Journey’s End and The Madness Of
George III
3) The Artistic Team is adding an educational component to Othello.
Workshops are offered for children from year 6 through secondary
school. They include:
a. The Reduced Othello: Students workshop and perform the play
within 90 minutes. This workshop can serve as an introduction to
the play or to expand a group's knowledge of the characters and
plot of Othello.
b. Location, Location, Location: This workshop approaches the text
from a design angle.
c. A Song of Willow: This workshop focuses on the use of movement
and music in Othello.
d. Black Rams and Motiveless Malignities: This workshop focuses on
the key themes within Othello.
e. Physicality and Etiquette: This workshop practically explores
Elizabethan etiquette and how best to implement it into the
production of Othello.
f. Trippingly on the Tongue: Looking practically at the text of Othello,
how the characters use language and what this tells us about them
and unraveling the mysteries of verse speaking.
g. New Fortunes and Boisterous Expeditions: To gain a more detailed
understanding of Othello, it is important to consider the plays
historical and political context. This workshop explores the world
in which the characters live and the audience that the playwright
wrote for.
4) Features live music with original compositions by Ron McAllister
whose previous work includes collaboration with Opera North,
Blackeyed Theatre and a host of original scores for Pantomimes
and operas.
5) Co – produced with South Hill Parks Art Centre, which has had past
successes with Shakespeare’s R + J by Joe Calarco and Kill
Macbeth..
Target Audiences:
Mainstream Theatre Audiences
School and College Students
Drama and Theatre Students
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Review: BRACKNELL NEWS, 30TH SEPTEMBER 2009
COMBINING Shakespeare with a live string quartet ensured that a new production of
Othello was on song for the start of it's national tour.
A joint production from Icarus Theatre Collective, Original Theatre Company and South
Hill Park, this version of one of Shakespeare's most forward-thinking plays was greatly
enhanced by it's talented cast combining their acting skills with playing instruments live
on stage.
As well as providing fantastic original music from composer and South Hill Park chief
executive Ron McAllister, the instruments were used as a great theatrical device - adding
intrigue and suspense, particularly when played by Christopher Dingli as the play's
manipulative villain Iago.
Dingli's understated, yet menacing, performance as Othello's right-hand man who tricks
the "noble moor" into killing his wife Desdemona had the audience hooked throughout
while his musical talent provided another dimension to the amoral character of Iago.
The instruments also served to give a further sense of "otherness" to the character of
Othello.
Already separated from many of the characters because of the colour of his skin, the
fact that Othello - played Vinta Morgan - was not given an instrument helped ostracise
him further.
Though sometimes harrowing to watch Morgan's extremely powerful performance was
an absolute triumph as the audience was gripped by his interpretation Othello's tragic
descent from a brave and respected soldier to a jealous and emotionally ravaged
murderer.
There were also strong performances from the rest of ensemble cast, many of whom
played more than one character, with Nick Holbek's Roderigo providing moments of
comic relief while Laura Durrant's sympathetic portrayal of Iago's wife, and unwitting
accomplice, Emilia was a joy to watch.
Credit must also go to the production's costume and set designers whose adaptable
creations provided the perfect backdrop to the show, allowing the story to effortlessly
move from one location to another and for the actors to switch between the different
characters they were playing easily, yet convincingly
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Biographies:
Alastair Whatley - Producer
Director, actor and producer, Alastair founded The Original Theatre Company in 2005
having graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London. Directing credits for the
company include the national tours of Shakespeare’s R&J (2008), Twelfth Night (2005),
The Taming of The Shrew (2006) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (2006). Other
Directing credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor (2006) and Henry V (2007) for
South Hill Park Arts Centre and the rehearsed readings of Mallard and Beneath The
Marble Palace.
In January 2007, Alastair worked as The Director in Residence at The Powell Theatre in
Sherborne for six months where he directed Twelfth Night for the second time, Journey’s
End and a series short plays by Harold Pinter.
His acting credits include Henry V at The RSC and at South Hill Park (both 2007),
Romeo and Juliet, Robin Hood, Twelfth Night (National Tour), A Midsummer Night's
Dream (Harrogate Sun Pavilion and National Tour), A Desire to Kill on Tip of The Tongue
(Edinburgh Festival) and the current tour of Vincent in Brixton.
As a producer he has worked on all the Company's past shows, from Twelfth Night in
2005 to Vincent in Brixton in 2009. Forthcoming work includes a national touring
productions of Othello produced with The Icarus Theatre Collective, Norfolk’s Rose a
new play by Bart Lee both opening this coming Autumn followed by a large scale revival
of R.C.Sherriff’s Journey’s End produced with Anvil Arts opening in January 2010. He is
also starring in Michéal MacLiammóir’s one man show, ‘Importance of Being Oscar’ this
coming summer.
He is the recipient of The Max Cary Award for innovation from The University of London
Max Lewendel – Director/Co-Producer
In 2004 Max Lewendel founded The Icarus Theatre Collective (www.icarustheatre.co.uk)
where he directs most of their plays. The Finborough Theatre commissioned Max to
direct James Graham’s Albert’s Boy (which won the Pearson Playwright Award) starring
Tony Award winner Victor Spinetti. Max also directed Coyote Ugly (no relation to the
film) and co-produced the British premiere of Frank McGuinness’ Gates of Gold for the
Finborough, both Time Out Critics’ Choice. He is developing a World Premiere of Philip
Ridley’s next play and directing two mid-scale tours in 2009: Othello & Nicholas Wright’s
Vincent in Brixton. Last year Max directed an international tour of Ionesco's The Lesson
which transferred to the Assembly Rooms, Old Red Lion Theatre, and Romania. He also
co-directed Engage's production of Lost Children in September which tours East Anglia,
Holland, and Kenya.
At Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, Max completed a Bachelor of Arts
(Honours) degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on directing and minors in French
Language and Business Administration.
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Bianca: Loren O'Dair
Loren trained at Ecole Jacques Lecoq, Paris. Theatre credits
include UR-HAMLET (Odin Teatret/Grotowski Festival, Poland),
THE TRAPEZE ARTIST (Tara Arts), THE PLEASURE PROJECT:
ARIADNE (Digame/CPT), HANDBAG and 26 (BAC), CINDERELLA
(Lyric Hammersmith), THE BOY WHO SAID YES, ASYTANAX and
STABAT MATER (Arcola), THE MARRIAGE OF MEDEA (Odin
Teatret, Denmark), BRIEFING (Mercurial Productions/CPT), THE
TURN OF THE SCREW (Theatreworks national tour), THE RED
DEATH LATES (BAC/Gideon Reeling), RIPE AND ROTTEN
(Shunt/BAC), BLANCHE NEIGE (MAC/VAL, Paris) and THE FENCE
(The Wrestling School/Birmingham Rep).
Cassio: Charles De Bromhead
Charles studied law at Trinity College, Dublin then acting at
LAMDA, London. After graduating from LAMDA, Charles went
straight into play Cloud Cuckoo Land at the Riverside Studios,
then play The Best Man – repeat tours of both followed.
Screen credits include – semi regular role Eric on Irish TV
series Fair City, Michael in The Clinic, films Wireless, How to
Win Friends and Influence People and Shelter. Most recently
played 1st world soldier Mick Madock in the BBC TV series
Timewatch
Desdemona: Kate Colebrook
Kate Trained at Guildford School of Acting. Theatre credits
include NORTHANGER ABBEY (National Tour) THE TEMPEST
(Italian tour) THE BIG READ (Northcott Theatre) Film credits
include ALICE AND HER ELI .
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Emilia: Laura Durrant
Laura studied cello and piano at the Royal Scottish Academy
of Music and Drama. She gained two Wolfson Scholarships as
a junior student and a BMus (Hons) as a senior, studying with
the distinguished cellist Robert Irvine. Whilst completing her
final year at the RSAMD Laura became involved in theatre and
after graduating in June 2007 she started working and
touring for 2 years with the physical theatre company
Gilmore Productions on the THE BLANK ALBUM, were she
learned the art of dancing and playing the cello at the same
time! Meanwhile Laura also played Miranda in the TEMPEST
(Ramshorn Theatre).Her stage performances range from
classical recital, both nationally and internationally, to
contemporary theatre, and from cellist, singer and bass guitarist to dancer and actor.
She has also performed with the 'Rhona Mackay Trio' on a National Trust cruise to the
Baltic 2008 and Iceland 2009 and continues to give concerts and recitals with her cello
duet 'Silk Strings'. TV credits include HOW NOT TO LIVE YOUR LIFE (BBC 3). When not
performing, Laura composes and teaches both privately and for RSAMD Musicworks.
Iago: Christopher Dingli
Christopher trained at Webber Douglas. Theatre credits
include TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (UK No.1 Tour), A
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (UK Tour), TWELFTH NIGHT
(Greenwich Playhouse), CABARET (Malta and Spain), GUYS
AND DOLLS (Spain), AMADEUS, PROOF (both National
Theatre, Malta), ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST
(Hackney Empire Acorn Theatre), ASSASSINS (Theatro
Technis), THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, ALL’S WELL THAT
ENDS WELL, HAMLET (all St Anton Gardens, Malta), OBAMA
ON MY MIND (Hen & Chickens Theatre), PLAGUE! THE
MUSICAL (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). Film credits include
AGORA (Himenóptero), THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM
(Independent Online Cinema), MORRIS: A LIFE WITH BELLS ON (Twist Films). TV credits
include HELEN OF TROY (USA Network TV), HOLMFIRTH-HOLLYWOOD (BBC4), BECKY
(TVM). An accomplished musician, Christopher has played as a soloist and with
orchestras in London, Edinburgh, Italy and Malta. He has performed live on London’s
Capital 95.8, at City Hall for the London Mayor and at the NOTTE BIANCA festival in
Malta. A regular busker on the London Underground, he recently placed second in the
widely publicised ‘BusKing’ Competition.
Othello: Vinta Morgan
VINTA trained at E15. Theatre credits include: THE LION THE
WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (RSC & Sadlers Wells), 125TH
STREET (Shaftesbury Theatre, West End ) PEDRO THE GREAT,
TAMAR'S REVENGE, THE HOUSE OF DESIRE (RSC),
TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT (Bristol Old Vic/Barbican), TO KILL
A MOCKINGBIRD (Birmingham Rep, West Yorkshire Playhouse
and Centerline), MR EQUIANO'S VISIT (Wolsey, Ipswich)
ROMEO AND JULIET ( RSC) ALADDIN (Bracknell) CHIMPS
(Wolsey, Ipswich)
Television includes: THE BILL (Fremantle) CASUALTY,
DOCTORS, SILENT WITNESS, and EASTENDERS (BBC TV)
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Roderigo: Nick Holbek
Nick Holbek graduated from Birmingham School of Acting
this year. He hopes to move to London after this tour, and is
busy filling up jars of coppers and selling prized
possessions to fund the daunting move. While at
Birmingham, his roles included the title role in the musical
Sweeney Todd, ‘Dr Franz Schoning’ in Lulu, ‘Charles Guiteau’
in Sondheim’s Assassins and ‘Vicious
Aloysius’ in Don Juan in Soho. Nick has recently finished
touring around retirement homes, keeping the morale up,
singing classic songs to the elderly. A keen sportsman,
Nickkeeps himself fit and healthy through tennis and
football, which he plays to a high standard. This is his first
professional acting job out of drama school, and what better way to kick it all off than
performing Shakespeare with a Cello in one hand! Nick is thrilled to working with this
dynamic and exciting company!
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PAST WORK
Vincent in Brixton by Nicholas Wright
A Collaboration Between the Icarus Theatre Collective and the Original
Theatre Company (2009)
"Brooding, malevolent, marvelous and
magnificent...it is a work of art"
-Paul Thomas, Bucks Free Press
"It is rare to come across a show with such
artistry, intelligence and talent and for that
reason this is a must-see show. So far this is
the play of the year and if patrons see nothing
else this year, this is the show they need to
see."
-Paul Bowers, Farnham Herald
This play is a must-see
-Anya Hastwell, Remote Goat
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The Lesson by Eugène Ionesco
The Icarus Theatre Collective in Association with the South Hill Arts
Centre
Directed By Max Lewendel
International Tour
12 April 2007 - 07 April 2008
"Directed so specifically that the beast of chaos
that charges through Ionesco's work like his own
rhinoceros is safely routed through the play." Rebecca Banks, Ham & High
The Times
Won Special Jury Prize in Romania
Best Actress in a Leading Role – Amy Loughton in
Romania
or better in 15 out of 17 reviews
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R + J by William Shakespeare
The Original Theatre Company (2008)
Directed by Alastair Whatley
"If you see just one Shakespearean play this year, make this one" Nina
Romain, as featured on Whatsonstage.com *****
"What makes this production so mesmerizing is that while you are
watching the Shakespeare classic you are also seeing the relationship
between the four young men unfold. And although most of the dialogue
is done through the words of Shakespeare, double meanings are rife
through much of the language, as well as the action. Some fight scenes
almost become real, for example, and the way
the boys react to parts of the play sheds a
fresh light on some of the dialogue." Anthony
Dearie, Jersey Evening Post
"Art imitates life and life is enriched by the
power of theatre...as Alastair Whatley's
production casts new light on this most
romantic of plays"
Michael Stewart, The Morning Star, 30th
July 2008