Performing Othello Flashcards
Who was Richard Burbage?
A lead actor in Shakespeare’s theatre company, who was the first Othello and his. performance is recorded as being sombre and moving.
What has been the style of actors since Burbage?
Some have adopted a similar style while others have attempted to explore Othello’s passionate and tempestuous side.
Who was Tommaso Salvini?
An Italian actor who played the character of Othello in the 1880s. He emphasised the physical violence in his interpretation of the character - his performance shocked sensitive 19th century audiences when he slapped Desdemona.
What did they Drury Lane, London, production do with the characters of Iago and Othello?
They alternated the actors who played them on a nightly basis. This reduced the differences between the two characters, as it raises questions about how similar the characters are and how much they have in common.
Who was the first black actor to play Othello?
Ira Aldridge, an African-American actor who played him in 1833 in London.
When was Orson Welles production of the play?
1952.
What was significant about Orson Welles’ production of the play?
He focused less on the question of race, using a black and white format of the film to focus on some of the other themes such as Othello’s emotional turmoil.
