Stage Update: Othello cast named

THE full cast has been announced for Othello, to be directed by artistic director Daniel Evans in the autumn as part of the Crucible Theatre’s 40th anniversary season. Alongside Clarke Peters’ Othello and Dominic West’s Iago will be Gwilym Lee as Cassio. He was the winner last year of the Ian Charleson Award for his Edgar in Michael Grandage’s King Lear.

A previous Charleson award-winner, Alexandra Gilbreath, plays Emilia. Currently appearing in The Village Bike at the Royal Court, she is well known to TV viewers as Stella Moon in Monarch of the Glen and as Sun Hill serial killer Pat Kitson in The Bill.

Playing Desdemona is Lily James, currently filming Wrath of the Titans, sequel to fantasy epic Clash of the Titans starring Sam Worthington, who played Poppy in four series of Secret Diary of a Call Girl opposite Billie Piper.

Also appearing will be Ian Barritt (Duke/Clown), Luciano Dodero (Montano/Officer/Attendant), Colin George (Brabantio/Gratiano), Josh Hart (2nd Senator/3rd Gentleman/ Musician/Othello’s Gentleman), Ben Lee (Attendant/Messenger/2nd Gentleman/Musician), Leigh McDonald (Bianca), Rhodri Miles (Lodovico), Brodie Ross (Roderigo) and Andrew Thompson (Attendant/Sailor/1st Gentleman/Musician).

Othello runs from September 15 to October 15.

Solo outing for Penny

SHEFFIELD’S Penny Capper will be performing Welcome To Fabulous Jenny Vegas, pictured, co-written with Steve Haythorne, at the Solo Festival of one-person shows in London this weekend.

The show, in which Z-list celebrity Jenny is embarking on a promotional tour for her new single and reads extracts from the novel she has penned and showcases her fitness DVD, will be performed at the Lord Stanley pub in Camden on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Farce of the Cold War

THE Apex Players have the local stage to themselves next week when they present a Cold War farce at the University Drama Studio. Look No Hans! is a saucy romp by John Chapman and Michael Pertwee packed full of comic misunderstandings, over-reactions and twists and turns.

Peter Fisher runs the Berlin office of a British car company and doubles as a secret agent. When his wife’s plane home to England is delayed, and he is visited in quick succession by his mistress, a singing telegram girl and a senior agent who is waiting for Hans, a top spy from the East, chaos ensues and Peter’s plans for a quiet birthday soon go out the window (along with several of his guests).

There are performances at the Drama Studio tonight (July 28) to Saturday, 7.30pm. Tickets are £7/£6.50 on the door or via 2496126 or email [email protected]).

Apex Players are a small, friendly amateur dramatic group who have been performing in Sheffield since 1973. When not performing, they meet every Monday evening at the Cross Scythes on Derbyshire Lane and are always on the lookout for new members. Details from Jenny Rist (2412765/ 07846932400).

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