This eagerly anticipated adaptation, directed by Foot herself, promises to captivate audiences with its unique perspective and stellar cast.
Originally debuting at the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus, the production received widespread acclaim, earning Foot the Gustaf Theatre Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement in 2023.
Now, South African audiences have the opportunity to experience this groundbreaking interpretation firsthand.
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Foot’s adaptation of Othello transports the classic Shakespearean tragedy to the time of German colonialism, specifically during the Herero uprising in German Southwest Africa, present-day Namibia.
By incorporating English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans, Foot infuses an African perspective into the narrative, inviting audiences to engage with themes of colonial violence and decolonial love.
The production has a powerful creative team, including designer Gerhard Marx, composer Kyle Shepherd and lighting designer Patrick Curtis.
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Leading the cast is Atandwa Kani in the title role of Othello, alongside a talented ensemble featuring Albert Pretorius as Iago, Carla Smith as Desdemona and Fansiwa Yisa as Emilia, among others.
Commenting on Foot’s adaptation, Professor Shose Kessi, Dean of Humanities at the University of Cape Town, describes it as an ambitious and provocative decolonial interpretation.
She notes that the production challenges Eurocentric readings of the colonial past while highlighting the role of theatre as a political instrument for social change.
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The media praised the production during its debut in Düsseldorf, with critics lauding Foot’s fresh perspective on Shakespeare’s classic.
Now, as the South African premiere heads to the Baxter Theatre, audiences can expect a powerful and thought-provoking theatrical experience that resonates with both Shakespeare’s timeless wisdom and contemporary relevance.