Doctor Who star Sharon D. Clarke has announced she is receiving treatment for cancer. The 60-year-old actress, known for playing nurse Grace O'Brien in series 11 and 12 of the BBC science fiction drama and Lola Griffin in Holby City, had been cast in the leading role for the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC's) production of Othello.
Othello postponed
The production was due to run from February 13 until April 3, 2027, at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. It has now been delayed as Sharon is "taking some time and space she needs to undertake treatment" for the illness. Fresh dates are yet to be announced, and tickets for the cancelled performances are being automatically reimbursed.
Sharon 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."
Support from wife and colleagues
Referring to her wife, theatre director Susie McKenna, the Holby City veteran 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."
Monique Touko, the director of Othello, 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
Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, RSC co-artistic directors, made the "difficult decision to postpone" Othello as Sharon's casting is "integral to Monique Touko's adaptation". They added: "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."
According to the RSC, the synopsis for Monique's Othello reads: "A respected female military general meets her soulmate. Desdemona is captivated by Othello's battle stories, and she by Desdemona's compassion. Their love holds promise and potential; together they are a positive force for change. But their unsanctioned marriage perilously crosses boundaries of race, sex and status. Jealousy, suspicion and malign intent close in and corrupt their innermost circles, their trust, their minds and their lives."
