This autumn, Anthony Almeida will direct a new production of William Shakespeare’s Othello in a co-production between Northern Stage, HOME, the Citizens Theatre, and in association with Royal & Derngate. This new production reframes the play as a tragedy of assimilation, asking what do we become when belonging depends on performance. This staging will examine the everyday negotiations that hold communities together until they quietly begin to tear apart, relocating the action to Britain during the early 1980s against the backdrop of the Falklands War.
Leading the cast in the titular role is Dwane Walcott, recently seen in the hit production of A Streetcar Named Desire at the Almeida, in the West End and in New York. He is joined by celebrated stage and screen actor Maanuv Thiara as Iago and recent LAMDA graduate Phoebe Smyth who makes her professional theatre debut as Desdemona. Joining them is Rebecca Banatvala as Emilia and Olivier Award winning actress Grace Hodgett Young as Bianca.
The cast is completed by a number of talented northeast actors. Chris Garner takes on the role of Brabantio, Will Stanton makes his professional debut as Cassio and Mattieu Sys plays Roderigo.
Joining director Anthony Almeida in the creative team are: designer Natasha Jenkins; sound designer Matthew Tuckey; Lighting Designer Sinead Mckenna; Video Designer Erin Guan; Movement/Fight/Intimacy Director Giaela Mattioli; Production Manager Suzie Normand; Costume Supervisor Sara Mackenzie; and Casting Director Karishma Balani.
Othello will run at Northern Stage in Newcastle from 11th to 26th September 2026, before touring to HOME in Manchester (30th September to 10th October), Royal & Derngate in Northampton (13th to 17th October), Theatr Clwyd in Mold (20th to 24th October), Citizens Theatre in Glasgow (27th October to 7th November), Derby Theatre (10th to 14th November) and New Theatre in Peterborough (17th to 20th November).
