McGregor Stars in London Othello; Mary Stuart Bway-Bound?

According to Variety, film star Ewan McGregor will return to the London stage as Iago in a new Donmar Warehouse production of the classic Shakespeare tragedy Othello, helmed by the theatre's artistic director Michael Grandage.

The production will begin previews on November 29th, open on December 4th and run through February 23rd, 2008.  Joining McGregor will be Chiwetel Ejiofor (London's The Vortex) in the title role and Kelly Reilly (London's After Miss Julie) as Desdemona.  Grandage previously directed the smash West End revival of Guys and Dolls, in which McGregor starred as Sky Masterson.  Although Grandage has directed numerous Shakespeare plays in the past, his six-year tenure as A.D. of the Donmar had so far steered clear of the Bard's works.

The production will feature designs by Christopher Oram, lighting by Paule Constable and sound design and music by Adam Cork.

"As one of Shakespeare's most intimate plays with one of the smallest casts, (Othello) is perfect for the Donmar.  The strength of this cast will allow us to explore the internal, as well as the external, life of the play," stated Grandage on the play, in which jealousy and scheming shatters the happiness of "the Moor of Venice" and his innocent wife. 

Grandage also stated that, subject to the availability of actresses Janet McTeer (A Doll's House) and Harriet Walter (RSC's Antony and Cleopatra), as well as of director Phyllida Lloyd, he will bring his hit Donmar production of Friedrich Schiller's thriller Mary Stuart to Broadway.  The German Romantic tragedy concerns the religious and political rivalry between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I.

Photo of Ewan McGregor by Retna Ltd.