In the year that marks the 450th anniversary of the birth of the world’s favourite playwright, rehearsals have started for the 2014 Demi-paradise production of Othello at Shire Hall, Lancaster Castle which will run from February 27 to March 22.
There are many firsts attached to this year’s production.
The debut artistic directorship of Dukes Theatre associate Louie Ingham, working with musical director Lee Affen and set and costume designer Rachel Daniels, means this production has a strong contemporary treatment and physical flavour, enhanced with both live and recorded music and song.
Action, as usual, is set mainly in Shire Hall, but also, for the first time, in the old prison side of the city’s landmark building, which only opened its massive gates to the public in May last year after 800 almost unbroken years as a gaol.
Founder producer Stephen Tomlin is very excited about what’s on offer with this, the ninth play he’s produced at the castle.
“ I am very proud of what we have achieved as an ensemble since I started the Demi-paradise project back in 2000 and am determined to keep that spirit alive by injecting radical younger generation theatre practice into our tried and tested model.
"Through intensive workshop auditions, we’ve hand-picked a fantastic company of performers dedicated to creating exciting, immersive theatre. Ours will be a no holds barred engagement—physical, mental and spiritual—with one of the most powerful and moving domestic tragedies in the classical repertoire.
“What’s more, rooms and spaces not previously used are being freed by the castle’s new status. Our creative departments are working in a fully integrated way to reflect the many moods and emotions that haunt the action.
"And that’s before we even think about what the 10-strong acting company have set out to achieve in the demanding rehearsal process Louie will be putting them through.”