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Dateline: 3rd October, 2008
Lenny Henry to Play Othello It's a West Yorkshire Playhouse press conference and flanked by Artistic Directors Ian Brown (WYP) and Barrie Rutter (Northern Broadsides), Lenny Henry repeatedly expresses his determination to work hard at his new venture… playing Othello in a WYP/Broadsides co-production early next year. Rutter to direct. Then a national tour. It's a big step for all of them. If the audience Henry brings in come for a giggle - will this winning funny man be able to maintain the gravitas of the role? During the press conference he moves from a suitably solemn non-verbal commentary on statements from the two ADs to his own contribution, well larded with big grins and trademark characterisations of his Jamaican kith and kin. But there is still that steely determination to work hard as a member of a touring company... and on touring company rates! This isn't a gimmick, all three insist. And they convinced me. Henry is at a stage in life when we sit down and have a think about who we are and where we're going. I guess a lot of theatregoers will be thankful that he's chosen to taste the joys of performing Shakespeare with the justly celebrated Northern Broadsides. For sure the tour will be a success, Broadsides can now more or less guarantee that no-matter what they tour and who else is in it. But let's hope it feels like a success to its star, otherwise it could prove to be a heartbreak Othello. Lenny Henry has won wide recognition as one of Britain's best known and loved personalities and his work has had a crucial influence on the creation of black centred comedy and characters. Lenny's first professional taste of Shakespeare came in 2006 when he recorded Lenny and Will for BBC Radio 4. This programme saw him explore the magic of Shakespeare's work through interviewing some of the country's leading Shakespeare directors including Northern Broadsides' Barrie Rutter. As part of Lenny and Will, Barrie directed Lenny in one of Othello's speeches. Commenting on the opportunity he now has to stage a full scale production of Othello with Lenny, Barrie Rutter said, "I first met Lenny over a microphone whilst recording an Othello speech for Radio 4. Afterwards Lenny declared to me that 'sitting with his back against a wall, learning lines in a company of actors' was a strong desire of his. "I didn't need any prompting and two weeks later with West Yorkshire Playhouse on board as co-producers, we were able to offer Lenny a done deal! Exciting stuff." On his theatrical debut Lenny Henry said, "When I was in Los Angeles making True Identity, I worked with a fantastic actor James Earl Jones, who was playing himself in the movie. The sub-plot involved my character understudying James in the role of Othello. He and I discussed the role many times over the filming period and, as he is one of America's premier black actors, I felt honoured to have the privilege of his wisdom. He told me that when the time was right I should jump in with both feet, work hard, keep my eyes and ears open and let the text do all the heavy lifting. When I met Barrie during an extended Shakespeare master class at Broadcasting House, his words during that session echoed James Earl Jones' and a big lightbulb went off over my head! I can't wait." Othello opens at the West Yorkshire Playhouse on 14th February, running until 14th March. It then goes on to:
Ray Brown
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