Artscape to Revive Fred Abrahamse's OTHELLO Production at Maynardville in 2016

This summer, one of Cape Town's most iconic and best loved theatres celebrates its diamond jubilee. For 60 years, since its inception in 1956, an annual Shakespeare play has been staged under the stars at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre which is now regarded as one of the most beautiful open-air theatres in the world. Maynardville's anniversary coincides with another very auspicious anniversary for the Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon as 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 1616. Throughout 2016, theatre companies across the globe will pay tribute to William Shakespeare's lasting legacy as the world's pre-eminent playwright.

Having staged Shakespeare's plays for over a decade, Artscape has selected to revive 2015 production of OTHELLO, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, only the second time in Maynardville's 60 year history that a production has been revived. The last play to hold this distinction was Ken Leach's 1986 Asterix-inspired production of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, which returned to the Maynardville stage in 1987. The 2015 production of OTHELLO was reviewed by BroadwayWorld's David Fick in January, in the article, "Devastatingly Competent OTHELLO Leaves Audience Out in the Cold at Maynardville".

Of all Shakespeare's plays, OTHELLO resonates most within a South African context with its themes of racism, jealousy, passion, obsession and betrayal. These themes powerfully combine in a devastating domestic tragedy that is as gripping today as it was when it was written over 400 years ago. The play is a major attraction for schools all over as it is currently being studied as a Grade 12 set work and is also open to the public.

Artscape is also pleased to announce that internationally acclaimed Cape Town star, Pope Jerrod, has signed on to play the title role of Othello. Pope has proved to be one of South Africa's most versatile actors having featured in numerous television and film productions locally and internationally such as SAFE HOUSE, alongside Denzel Washington, TASTE OF RAIN, THE LOST FUTURE, HANSIE CRONJE as well as STOKVEL and ISIDINGO, amongst others.

The supporting cast includes Melissa Haiden as Desdemona, Marcel Meyer as Iago, Lee-Ann van Rooi as Emilia, Stephen Jubber as Cassio, Matthew Baldwin as Roderigo, Faniswa Yisa as Bianca, Robin Smith as Brabantio, Daniel Richards as Lodovico and Siya Sikawuti as Montano and The Duke of Venice.

Award-winning duo, Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer return as the creative team for this production. Abrahamse & Meyer Productions have achieved international recognition for their innovative Shakespeare productions which include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, (at Maynardville in 2013, returning to Artscape and the National Arts Festival in 2012), SHAKESPEARE'S R&J (at the National Arts Festival and The Fugard Theatre in 2011), THE TRAGEDY OF RICHARD III (at the National Arts Festival in 2010, returning to Artscape and the Market Theatre in 2011) and their most recent production of THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET (at the National Arts Festival in 2015). OTHELLO is directed by Abrahamse, with set and costume designs by Meyer. The lighting design for the production will be handled by Faheem Bardien and the play features original scoring by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

OTHELLO runs from from 26 January - 23 February. Tickets, ranging from R80 - R180, can be booked through Computicket, at the Artscape Box Office or on Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.

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