Paul Robeson "OTHELLO" Albert Finney / Vanessa Redgrave 1959 London Program

Description

This is a rare oversized programme (playbill) from the revival of the WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE classic "OTHELLO" at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, United Kingdom. ("Othello" opened Stratford's 100th Season on April 7th, 1959 and ran for 51 performances.) ..... "A tragedy of racial conflict" was how PAUL ROBESON (1898 – 1976) summed up "Othello" as he rehearsed the play in London in 1930. He was the first black actor to attempt "Othello" in more than a century when he stepped onto the stage of the Savoy Theatre on March 19th, 1930. The only black actor previously to have attempted it was Ira Aldridge in 1825.
The son of a runaway slave, Robeson was, by 1930, an international star: a lawyer, athlete, academic, singer, actor and campaigner. In 1928 he had captured London's heart with his performance of "Ol' Man River" in the barnstorming, barrier-breaking Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical "Show Boat". He jumped at the chance to tackle "Othello". He became the first African-American to play the role with a white supporting cast on Broadway when Robeson reprised his role of "Othello" at the
Shubert Theatre
in 1943 under the direction of
Margaret Webster
. He toured North America with the show until 1945 and received a
Donaldson Award and was honored with the
Spingarn medal
by the
NAACP
for his distinguished achievements in the performing arts and his humanitarian endeavors. (Wikipedia) .....
The play starred PAUL ROBESON in the title role and featured SAM WANAMAKER as "Iago", PETER WOODTHORPE, PAUL HARDWICK, ALBERT FINNEY, IAN HOLM, STEPHEN THORNE, CHARLES BORROMEL, RICHARD RUDD, ROGER BIZLEY, EDWARD DE SOUZA, DONALD LAYNE-SMITH, MARY URE, ANGELA BADDELEY, JULIAN GLOVER, DAVID BUCK, ROY DOTRICE, KENNETH GILBERT and ZOE CALDWELL. Among the ensemble were VANESSA REDGRAVE, DIANA RIGG, GEORGINE ANDERSON, MICHAEL GRAHAM COX, CHRISTOPHER CRUISE, JON DENNIS, MAVIS EDWARDS, NICHOLAS HAWTREY, NORMAN HENRY, EDNA LANDOR, PETER MASON, DAN MEADEN, ROBERT RUSSELL, DON SMITH, ROY SPENCER, MALCOLM TAYLOR and DAVE THOMAS ..... CREDITS: Book by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE; Music Adviser: LESLIE BRIDGEWATER; Sets designed by LOUDON SAINTHILL; Directed by TONY RICHARDSON ..... DETAILS: The oversized four page program measures 9 1/2" X 11 7/8" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes and program notes, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a light corner crease at the bottom right, this rare playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.