Shakespeare’s Othello in Lambeth: Curator’s Talk

Celebrating three centuries of Shakespeare’s plays in Lambeth theatres, Lambeth Archives will be hosting an exhibition throughout October focusing on historic performances of Othello by Black actors. 

Ira Aldridge in the 1820s at the Old Vic was the first Black actor to perform the role; Paul Robeson in 1930 at Streatham Hill Theatre was still only the fourth. There have been many more recent stagings at Oval House and the National theatres. 

Jon Newman of Lambeth Archives talks about historic Shakespeare performances in Lambeth with a particular focus on the various performances of Othello starring Black actors.