National Children’s Theatre’s (NCT) production of Shakespeare’s Othello commences soon, and is set to provide a refreshing, powerful experience of the play for high-school students studying the Shakespeare classic.
The play will tour this setwork to various IEB schools in South Africa and eSwatini from the 17 – 28 February, with a possible extension into March and April.
The timeless masterpiece has been around for more than 400 years and is still as relevant as ever, dealing with themes of love, jealousy, racism, war, betrayal and manipulation.
The play will be directed by Lucy Wylde, who is renowned for her work on The Tempest (2023), and her extensive experience as a Shakespearean actor and director in South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Despite the various versions and translations throughout the centuries, Lucy believes the writing and the ethos of story remain the same.
‘’What matters is the writing,’’ she says. “The poetic writing is just so incredible. The themes are also universal, which makes the stories really impactful and ensures that they still matter. Shakespeare’s stories form the basis of many narratives that we still use today.’’
The play is about military commander Othello, who is manipulated by his subordinate officer Iago into suspecting that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him.
Part of the challenge of adapting the story – especially for a younger audience – is making it appealing and relevant in a modern age, something that NCT is taking in its stride.
‘’You cannot just experience Shakespeare only by reading it. You need to see it,” says Wylde. “For students it also needs to be the version that they’re going to be examined on. Our play will be performed in natural light in school halls, with the audience close to the action. It’s very immediate, and the action is fast. It’s high octane. It happens quickly, it’s real. It’s in your face.’’
Wylde says the play includes music interludes to help bring the show to life in a more emotional fashion. She encourages students to attend the plays to take their understanding of this compelling English setwork to a new level – and to raise their marks.
‘’If you’re watching a piece of dynamic, real, believable live theatre right in front of your face, it’s going to make sense,’’ she says. ‘’For any students who are battling with the play, once they’ve seen it, they will go, ‘Oh, I get it now, I understand it!’’
NCT’s production of Othello will tour IEB schools in South Africa and eSwatini from 17 – 28 February 2025, with a possible extension into term 2. To book your school, call Maleboheng at 011 484 1584 or e-mail maleboheng@NCTheatreSA.org.za. The cost is R100 per learner.
Othello will show once for the general public on 22 February at 14:00 at NCT, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown 2196. Book on www.NCTheatreSA.org.za/program
Cece Smith 
Bongi Sikelo 