Changeling Theatre is staging Othello across Kent for its annual outdoor tour in 2022. Chosen by the audience in our popular annual vote, Othello is one of Shakespeare’s best known tragedies exploring the devastating impact of jealousy and suspicion, race and racism.
The play follows the story of Othello, a recently married man of rank who is enjoying a glittering military career and has a successful future ahead of him. But Othello has enemies. Enemies that will do anything to bring him down. One of them, Iago, devises a sinister plot to undermine Othello’s reputation, tricking him into a jealous rage that ends in tragedy.
Love, jealousy, deception, murder. Othello is an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Think Shakespeare meets Scandi noir, Changeling’s production promises to fizz with passion, intrigue and dark humour.
2022 marks our 21st year of outdoor touring since we first toured Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream back in 2001. We are also touring Oscar Wilde’s satirical masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest.
Changeling’s creative director Rob Forknall says:
“I’ve been wanting to direct this show for a long time and now the time is right. Our audiences clearly agree as this is their choice this year and we couldn’t be more delighted. Betrayal, jealousy, class war – it’s all there in this intense and brilliant play. Fans of crime dramas and Scandi noir will love it.”
Councillor Fay Gooch, Mayor of Maidstone said:
“Mention the Changeling Theatre to me and my eyes light up! Their open-air production of ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ earlier this year at Boughton Monchelsea Place bowled me over with its originality, its energy, its excitement – Shakespeare as I’d never experienced it before. I just can’t wait to see what they have in store for Maidstone audiences next summer. How incredibly fortunate we are that so much talent is based here in the County Town of Kent where the people of Maidstone can savour the truly joyful experience of outdoor theatre at its best: fresh air and fun – just what we all need to give our wellbeing a boost!”
We will perform Othello in a range of outdoor locations from Friday 1 July to Sunday 21 August 2022, in venues as diverse as Rochester Castle and Riverhill Himalayan Gardens to a wide range of public gardens, parks, amphitheatres and many of the county’s best loved castles. There are some exciting new venues to look out for too.
Play venues, dates and booking details for both shows will be released in March next year.