Shakespeare in apartheid South Africa—where the tragedy hits different.
After 400 years Shakespeare's great tragedy still has strong social and political relevance, and this celebrated production by leading actress and director Janet Suzman was momentous, as it was staged at South Africa's famous Market Theatre during the apartheid era. Tony Award-winning actor John Kani plays the title role.
Acting
John Kani's Othello carries the weight of two oppressions.
Direction
Suzman weaponizes Shakespeare against apartheid itself.
Director
Janet Suzman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Market Theatre was a 'non-racial' space illegal under apartheid—this production literally risked the actors' safety.
Kani was already a political target; his Tony win for 'Sizwe Banzi Is Dead' made him internationally known but locally dangerous. This Othello was activism.
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