"Othello", with its racism, jealousy and sexual stereotyping seems most immediate to contemporary audiences. This work traces Othello's acting tradition as it has affected the roles of Othello, Desdemona and Iago - demonstrating the emphasis placed on different characters in different countries.

Of all Shakespeare's tragedies, "Othello", with its issues of racism, jealousy and sexual stereotyping seems most immediate to contemporary audiences. This work traces Othello's acting tradition as it has affected the roles of Othello, Desdemona and Iago - demonstrating the emphasis placed on different characters in different countries. It examines various stage and screen versions of the play which reflect or challenge current views about race and gender. An in-depth study of famous Othello actor Paul Robeson compares his career to that of Ira Aldridge. The range of productions examined means that the book should appeal to all students and enthusiasts of the theatre, as well as those in the field of ethnic and cultural approaches to Shakespeare.

List of Plates Series Editors' Preface Acknowledgements Introduction PART ONE: 'OTHELLO' BEFORE ROBESON 1. Othello's play 2. Desdemona's play 3. Iago's play 4. Interval: Alternative 'Othello's in the modern age PART TWO: ROBESON AND AFTER 5. Othello becomes contemporary: Ira Aldridge and Paul Robeson 6. The Robeson legacy I: White Othellos on film, stage and television 7. The Robeson legacy II: Casting 'Othello', 1960-1997 8. 'Othello' and the end of the century: Sex and soldiers Appendix Bibliography Index