Olivia Vinall, who appeared in the recent Coventry Belgrade production of The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, is to play Desdemona in Othello at the National Theatre.
Directed by the National’s artistic director Nicholas Hytner and starring Adrian Lester as Othello and Rory Kinnear as Iago, the production is one of the shows being staged as part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary.
Olivia Vinall, who is just starting out on her career, won the role of Desdemona after meeting the National’s casting director following her performance as Reenie in the Belgrade’s adaptation of William Inge’s rarely performed drama The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.
Praising the Belgrade’s ongoing commitment to nurturing up-and-coming talent, she said if it wasn’t for her role in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs she might never have got the part of Desdemona.
“It really is a dream come true for me and all thanks to the Belgrade for producing and supporting lesser-known but incredible pieces of writing.
“It’s good to know people value risks, and without that I wouldn’t be about to start this epic adventure.”
Olivia is following in the footsteps of a number of actors who have begun their careers at the Belgrade including Sir Ian McKellen who had his first job in A Man for All Seasons in 1961.
Othello will run in the National’s Olivier Theatre from April.