Professors Carol Chillington Rutter and Tony Howard alongside Adrian Lester, fresh from playing Othello, discuss the National Theatre's four productions of Othello 1964-2013. The film explores the performances of Laurence Olivier, Paul Scofield, David Harewood and Adrian Lester and considers the context of each production as well as the interpretation of Othello's character.

Othello Performance History

Othello, newly married to Desdemona who is half his age, is appointed leader of a military operation to defend Cyprus from the Turks. Iago, his ensign, passed over for promotion in favour of young Cassio, persuades Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. This is a collection of content around the 2013 National Theatre production of William Shakespeare's play, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear. Included in this collection is a background pack, an interview with the director and films looking at specific areas of the play.