Othello

Dates of performance

January 1970

Overview

In the 15th century, the state of Venice was at the height of her power, wealthy and strong in arms on land and sea, Othello, a moor, honoured general of a Venetian army, has married Desdemona, the daughter of a Senator. Iago, officer to Othello, bears him particular hate for the promotion over him of another officer, Cassio, and determines to be revenged on both of hem.
Beginning his vile plans by using his wife Emilia, gentlewoman to Desdemona, Iago forces Emilia to steal a keepsake, a precious handkerchief, from her mistress. Now all his evil machinations are set I motion.
Iago contrives to make Cassio drunk so that Othello has to dismiss him. Cassio is then urged to beg Desdemona to plead for his reinstatement by Othello, By sly hints and insinuations Iago makes Othello believe in Desdemona’s infidelity and s a climax produces, as proof, the handkerchief which Iago alleges she gave to Cassio, Othello maddened with jealousy, smothers Desdemona; when Emilia finds her mistress murdered and reveals the plat that Desdemona is innocent, Iago stabs Emilia to silence her. Iago is arrested. Othello stripped of his honours and placed under guard; but overcome by remorse and agony, Othello kills himself.

Cast List

DUKE OF VENICE   MICHAEL DRIN
BRABANTION A Senator DON MAQUIRE
GRATIANO Senator’s kinsman CHRISTOPHER HALWE
OTHELLO A General BERNAD BROWN
CASSIO Othello’s Lieutenant GEOFFREY FREDERICK
IAGO Cassio’s ancient LOUIS BURKE
RODERIGO A Venetian gentleman RICHARD POOR
MONTANO   RONALD FENTON
LODOVICO   MICHAEL DRIN
DESDEMONA Othello’s wife JEANNE WENNBEG
EMELIA Iago’s wife CECILIA SONNENBERG
BIANCA Mistress to Cassio KERRY MARSH
SENATORS, OFFICES, MESSENGERS AND ATTENDANTS SHARON LAZARUS
RONALD BLOCK
COLIN BROUGH
RONALD FENTON
CHRISOPHER HALE
ROBERT HOLMES
JOHN ORR
PADDY SKILDER
MICHAEL VAN DRUNEN

Creative List

STAGE DIRECTOR ADEN LOVE
STAGE MANAGER AVRIL BEE
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS SHARON LAZARUS & COLIN BROUGH
COSTUMES DESIGN JENNIFER CRAIG
SET DESIGN PAMELA LEWIS
WARDROBE ANN LOW & ANN WILKINSON
SOUND BART VAN DRUNEN
SET MADE BY KIESER BROTHERS