The Royal Shakespeare Company has postponed its upcoming production of Othello so that actress Sharon D Clarke can undergo cancer treatment. Clarke, 60, who stars in Doctor Who, was cast in the title role of the RSC's new production, which was scheduled to run at Stratford-upon-Avon's Swan Theatre from February 13 to April 3 next year.
Postponement to Allow Treatment
The RSC announced the postponement today, saying it will give the award-winning actress 'the time and space she needs to undertake treatment.' Clarke, known for her role in Holby City, 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.'
Speaking about her wife, theatre director Susie McKenna, Clarke added: '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.'
Support and Creative Team Response
Macmillan Cancer Support offers help for those diagnosed with cancer, with a helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), a webchat service, and more information on their website.
The production, directed by Monique Touko, reimagines Shakespeare's classic with themes of misogyny set in a climate-threatened future where a black lesbian woman holds power. The modern Othello is a respected female military general who meets her soulmate, Desdemona, and their marriage challenges boundaries of race, sex and status.
Touko, making her RSC debut with this play, 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.'
RSC Statement and Refunds
Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, RSC's co-artistic directors, said: 'The casting of Sharon as Othello is integral to Monique Touko's adaptation, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to postpone, to give Sharon the time and space she needs to undertake treatment. Sharon is, in every sense of the word, a warrior and, we know she will meet this challenge with the unwavering strength and indomitable spirit that she brings to so many aspects of her life and work. We look forward to revisiting this thrilling collaboration in the future and, on behalf of everyone at the RSC, we send Sharon our love and strength for a full recovery.'
The RSC said affected audience members will be automatically refunded, and a replacement programme will be announced soon. In Doctor Who, Clarke plays Grace O'Brien, a chemotherapy nurse introduced in the series 11 premiere. She rose to fame as doctor Lola Griffin in BBC's Holby City from 2005 to 2008, with a one-episode stint in 2019. Clarke, 60, also has a long stage career spanning plays and musicals since 1984.
