Looking for the Moor

Synopsis

Radio broadcast. In preparing to take on the role of Othello for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hugh Quarshie goes in search of the wisdom of others about the ethical conundrums of a black actor playing the role. Hugh is not convinced that Shakespeare actually knew any black people and wonders if the persona of Othello is simply derived from literary and theatrical convention. He also suspects that if Shakespeare had little or no awareness of black people, his characterisation of Othello could be regarded as lazy. If he did, then Hugh believes his approach borders on bigotry and that the role should be seen as a stereotype about which black actors should think twice. Quarshie believes that Othello’s race and colour do not simply determine the reactions and responses of other characters to him; they also go some way to explaining his actions. Shakespeare suggests that Othello behaves as he does because he is black. And to suggest that a person’s behaviour is racially determined is, by definition, racist.

Series

Sunday Feature

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

12 Jul 2015 at 18:45 (Channel: BBC Radio 3)

Duration

45 mins

Credits

Producer

Roger James Elsgood

Contributor

Adrian Lester; Bonnie Greer; Hugh Quarshie; James Earl Jones; Janet Suzman; Jude Kelly; Lenny Henry; Willard White

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Plays

Othello

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Black actors; racism; racial stereotyping; Jealousy; Othello (character)

Online Availability

Online URL

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06cdmkr

Online format

Streamed/Download

Production Company

Name

Art and Adventure

Contact

Roger Elsgood

Email

roger@artandadventure.org

Web

http://http://www.l-ocean.org/ External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0)20 8692 0145 tel & fax

Address

5 Darling Road London SE4 1QY
United Kingdom

Notes

New name of l’Ocean Ltd

Sponsor

Name

BBC Radio 3

Archive

Name

British Library Sound Archive

Email

listening@bl.uk

Web

http://www.bl.uk/nsa External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7412 7676

Fax

020 7412 7441

Address

96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB

Distributor

Name

BBC iPlayer