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Othello (1931/2)
Othello Programme Image Iago, ensign to Othello, is jealous of Cassio, Othello's lieutenant. He plots to oust Cassio from his new post. Othello elopes with Brabantio's daughter, Desdemona. He sails with her to the Turkish war in Cypress (This war occurred when Shakespeare was a boy). Iago resolves to make use of Desdemona to cause Cassio's downfall. He procures Cassio's discharge from the lieutenancy by involving him in a drunken brawl. Cassio begs Desdemona to intercede with Othello for him. Iago now conceives a larger revenge. He suggests to Othello that Desdemona has good reason to help Cassio, because he is her lover. Partly by fortune, partly by craft, he succeeeds in establishing in Othello's mind that Desdemona is guilty. Too late, Iago's wife, Emilia, discovers her husband's devilish plot, and the tragedy draws to its conclusion. Full synopsis or Gallery.

Duke of Venice : To mourn a mischief that is past and gone Is the next way to draw new mischief on.

Duke of Venice : When remedies are past, the griefs are ended By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.

cast list production credits

Duke of Venice

Alastair Sim

Director

 Frank Napier
Iago Ralph Richardson

Playwright

 Shakespeare
Othello Wilfrid Walter Theatre The Old Vic
Cassio Robert Harris Presented by Lilian Bayliss
Desdemona Phyllis Thomas Produced by Harcourt Williams
Brabantio Douglas Jeffries    
Bianca Ethel Glendinning    
Roderigo Robert Speaight

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Interesting facts

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Alastair plays the Duke of Venice. The Duke is Introduced to us in Act I, Scene III when he sends Othello with his wife Desdemona to Cypress to thwart a suspected Turkish invasion there. The Duke hopes Othello's leadership of his Venetian forces will see the Venetian's triumphant. When Brabantio tries to have Othello punished for allegedly seducing his daughter Desdemona with witchcraft, the Duke displays his wisdom, learning the truth by allowing Brabantio, Othello and Desdemona to tell their sides of the story. He later wisely tells Brabantio to accept Othello and Desdemona's marriage, arguing Brabantio will gain a "son" in the process. He is also responsible for Cassio being made Governor of Cypress (replacing Othello), in Act IV, Scene I and for Othello being recalled from Cypress.

In 1931/32 Alastair was asked to go the The Old Vic for the season where Harcourt Williams was directing and Ralph Richardson and Phyllis Thomas played the leads.