Paul Robeson "OTHELLO" Jose Ferrer / Uta Hagen / Margaret Webster 1943 Flyer

Description

This is a rare advertising handbill (flyer) promoting the Theatre Guild revival of the WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE classic "OTHELLO" at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre in New York City. (The production opened October 19th, 1943 at the Shubert Theatre and ran for 296 performances. Following an ambitious tour, the production would return to New York's City Center Theatre on May 22nd, 1945 for an additional 24 performances.) ..... "A tragedy of racial conflict" was how PAUL ROBESON (1898 – 1976) summed up "Othello" as he rehearsed the play in London. 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 the cast included JOSE FERRER, UTA HAGEN, MARGARET WEBSTER, JAMES MONKS, JACK MANNING, AVERELL HARRIS, ROBERT E. PERRY, PHILIP HUSTON, HENRY BARNARD, JACK DE SHAY, GRAHAM VELSEY, JOHN IREYS, WILLIAM WOODSON, SAM BANHAM, EUGENE STUCKMANN, BRUCE BRIGHTON and EDITH KING ..... CREDITS: Book by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE; Music composed by TOM BENNETT; Sets designed by ROBERT EDMOND JONES; Directed by MARGARET WEBSTER; Produced by THE THEATRE GUILD ..... DETAILS: Advertising handbills (heralds) were distributed or inserted into the playbills of other productions to help generate ticket sales for upcoming shows and events. The single page, two-sided handbill measures 6" X 9" inches and includes production credits and a wonderful rendering of PAUL ROBESON on the front and excerpts from several reviews and four production photos on the backside ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this flyer 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, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.