The Royal Shakespeare Company has postponed its forthcoming production of Othello, starring Sharon D Clarke in the title role, after the actor revealed she needs time to undergo treatment for cancer.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the postponement of its upcoming production of Othello, announced earlier this year, starring Sharon D Clarke in the title role.
The postponement comes as Clarke announced she will be taking time to undergo treatment for cancer.
She said, “I would like to thank all the beautiful people at the RSC for their understanding, love, support and healing energy. Othello will be my north star as I undergo treatment.
Susie, my family and I are overwhelmed, humbled and buoyed by the tidal wave of love that we have received and are so blessed to have an army of strength and support to hold us up. Love and thanks to my beautiful people.“
The production, directed by Monique Touko, was originally scheduled to run from 13 February to 3 April 2027 at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.
The three-time Olivier Award winning actress announced earlier this year that she would make her RSC debut in the production, starring as Othello in a new reimagining directed by Monique Touko (Marie and Rosetta, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding).
The production sets Othello in a climate threatened future where a black lesbian holds a seat of power. This movement and music-infused production will look at Shakespeare’s 400-year-old story through the lens of misogynoir, as an unsanctioned marriage perilously crosses boundaries of race, sex and status, allowing jealousy, suspicion and malign intent to close in.
Director Monique Touko said: “On behalf of the entire creative team, we send Sharon all the love for her ongoing treatment and recovery. As a Director, I have been incredibly blessed to collaborate with Sharon on this major reframing of Shakespeare’s tragedy, which reimagines Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ through the lens of misogynoir.
Sharon is the ultimate collaborator. Her generosity and passion for this project continues to astound me and I look forward to us coming back together when the time is right to share this production with the world.”
We wish Sharon all the best in her treatment.
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