English Touring Theatre Announces Full Cast For Othello

English Touring Theatre today announces the full cast for the upcoming revival of Richard Twyman's critically acclaimed production of Othello, a co-production with Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory. Richard Twyman directs Kitty Archer (Desdemona), Philip Correia (Cassio), Naby Dakhli (Montano), James Ellis (Duke), James Godden (Soldier/Senator), Paul McEwan (Iago) Victor Oshin (Othello) and Kelly Price (Emilia) joining returning cast members Chris Bianchi (Brabantio), Hayat Kamille (Bianca), Brian Lonsdale (Roderigo) and John Sandeman (Lodovico).

Othello opens at Oxford Playhouse on 20 September and tours to Harrogate Theatre, Cast in Doncaster, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, The New Wolsey Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Northern Stage and Lighthouse Poole.

Othello is one of Shakespeare's most startlingly contemporary plays - a masterful depiction of a life torn apart by prejudice.

Venice; a western colonial power employs the newly-married Othello, a Muslim general, to lead their army against the impending Turkish invasion. The strain of fitting into a society riven by discrimination and fear soon take their toll. Manipulated by Iago, Othello's life quickly unravels as he turns on everything he holds dear.

Originally co-produced with Tobacco Factory Theatres.

ETT will continue its commitment to make touring theatre accessible to young people with their 25th anniversary ticket scheme 25 for £2.50 which will offer £2.50 tickets to Othello for young people aged 25 and under.

In addition ETT will run The Othello Project, where journalist and activist Abdul-Rehman Malik, will curate a multi-art festival in response to the production at each venue giving a platform to some of the most exciting Muslim artists and writers working in the UK today. Further details to be announced.

Kitty Archer plays Desdemona. Her theatre credits include One for Sorrow (Royal Court Theatre).

Chris Bianchi returns to the cast to play Brabantio. His theatre credits Waiting for Godot (Tobacco Factory/UK tour), All's Well That Ends Well (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory/UK tour), Tartuffe, Hamlet, The School for Scandal, Arcadia, As You Like It, Richard III, King Lear, The Cherry Orchard, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), The Inn at Lydda (Shakespeare's Globe), Romeo and Juliet (Rose Theatre Kingston), Thérèse Raquin, Lullabies of Broadmoor Quartet, The French Detective and The Blue Dog (Theatre Royal Bath), The Boy Who Cried Wolf!, The Rivals, 4 Toys in A Tent, The Boy and The Baby, No Loud Bangs, Penetrator (Bristol Old Vic), Prometheus Bound (Young Vic), Filumena (Piccadilly Theatre), King Lear, The Provok'd Wife and The Seagull (The Old Vic). His television credits include The Cafe and Historyonics.

Philip Correia plays Cassio. His theatre credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Holy Warriors, Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare's Globe/international tour), Keepers of Infinite Space (Park Theatre), The Pitmen Painters (National Theatre), Judgement Day (The Print Room), The Syndicate (Chichester Festival Theatre), Bus Stop (New Vic/Stephen Joseph Theatre), The Cherry Orchard (Birmingham Rep), Country Music (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Romeo and Juliet (Jermyn Street Theatre), Hobson's Choice (Chichester Festival Theatre/UK tour), The History Boys (National Theatre/ Wyndham's Theatre/UK tour) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC). His television credits include Atlantis, Inspector George Gently, Vera and Canoe Man; and for film, The Hunters and Bliss!.

Naby Dakhli plays Montano. His theatre credits include Falsestuff (Teatre Nacional de Catalunya), Electra (La Cave a Théatr) and She Never Talks About Love (Les Énchantillons). His film credits include Gemini and Traces of Sandalwood.

James Ellis plays Duke. His theatre credits include This is This (Arts Theatre), Titus Andronicus, Timon of Athens (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival), Romeo and Juliet (Broadway Studio Theatre), Aphra (The Space), The Comedy of Errors (Rose Theatre Kingston). His television credits include Elizabeth I; and for film, Friends of Money.

James Godden plays Soldier/Senator. This marks his professional stage debut.

Hayat Kamille returns to play Bianca. Her theatre credits include If Chloe Can (National Theatre) and Waiting for Summer (Etcetera Theatre). Her film credits include Murder on the Orient Express.

Brian Lonsdale returns to play Roderigo. His theatre credits include My Romantic History, The Boy On The Swing (Live Theatre), Pound Look (Gala Theatre), Noises Off (Nottingham Playhouse/Nuffield Southampton Theatres), Martyr (Unicorn Theatre), War Horse (National Theatre), Diary of a Football Nobody (Nottingham Playhouse), The Pitmen Painters (Duchess Theatre/UK tour/ The Manhattan Theatre Club, Broadway), Pandora (Arcola Theatre), Bedroom Farce (West Yorkshire Playhouse), St George and The Dragon and Jason and The Argonauts (Warwick Arts Centre). His film credits include The Other Possibility and Goal!.

Paul McEwan plays Iago. His theatre credits include The Invisible Man (Queen's Theatre Hornchurch), The Seven Acts of Mercy, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Richard III, La Lupa (RSC), Inkheart (HOME, Manchester), A Doll's House (Sherman Theatre), but i cd only whisper (Arcola Theatre), and Man in the Middle, Decade and The Night Before Christmas (Theatre503). His television credits include Peaky Blinders, Strictly Confidential and as series regular Shane Doyle in Emmerdale.

Victor Oshin plays Othello. This marks his professional stage debut.

Kelly Price plays Emilia. Her theatre credits include The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ - The Musical (Menier Chocolate Factory), A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory/Garrick Theatre - Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical), The Woman in White (Palace Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre), It's a Wonderful Life (Avalon), Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre), Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello Theatre), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), The Misanthrope (Comedy Theatre), Zack, That Day We Sang, Little Shop of Horrors (Royal Exchange Manchester), Stepping Out (Salisbury Playhouse), Boeing Boeing, Company (Sheffield Crucible), Perchance to Dream (Finborough Theatre), One Man Two Guvnors (National Theatre tour) and All the Angels: Handel and the First Messiah (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre). Her television work includes Endeavour, Waterloo Road, Accused - Helen's Story, Massive and Kombat Opera; and for film, The Sense of An Ending and A Bunch of Amateurs.

John Sandeman returns to play Lodovico. His theatre credits include All's Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Richard III (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), Romeo and Juliet (The Lord Chamberlain's Men), Berlin Kabaret (Brighton Festival Fringe/Soho Theatre), The Massacre at Paris (Shakespeare's Globe), Beggar's Bush (Latitude Festival), King Lear (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (Shaw Theatre). His film credits include Seven Lucky Gods.

Richard Twyman is Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre. Prior to this he was Associate Director (International) at The Royal Court Theatre between 2013-2016, where his directing work included Torn, Harrogate (also HighTide and UK tour), You For Me For You, Fireworks, The Djinns of Eidgah and PIIGS. His other theatre credits include Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Tokyo) Henry IV Part II (RSC), Ditch (Old Vic Tunnels and HighTide), Dr Marigold & Mr Chops (Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour), Sixty-Six Books (Bush Theatre) and Give Me Your Hand (Irish Rep, New York - nomination for the Drama Desk Award 2012 for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience). Between 2003 and 2008 he worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was Associate Director to Michael Boyd on the multi-award winning Histories Cycle and for which he directed Henry IV Pt II.

To accompany the UK tour of Othello, ETT, alongside journalist and activist Abdul-Rehman Malik, will curate a multi-art festival in response to the production at each venue. The festivals will give a platform to some of the most exciting Muslim artists and writers working in the UK today, shining a light on the contemporary relevance of the play, breaking down barriers to Shakespeare and championing cross-cultural dialogue amongst communities. The project will feature work from spoken word artist, Tanya Muneera Williams and is presented in association with Amal - a project of the Said Foundation. Further details about the festivals will be announced soon.

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