Full casting announced for OTHELLO at The Watermill

The full cast and creative team have been announced for The Watermill Ensemble’s bold new production of William Shakespeare’s Othello, which runs at the venue from 16 September-15 October.

Adapted by Karla Marie Sweet, the production will feature a fusion of modern and soulful music underscoring the action and performed in the theatre’s inimitable style by a company of actor musicians breathing new life into Shakespeare’s classic text.

The cast includes Kalungi Ssebandeke (The Duchess of Malfi – Almeida) as Othello, Sophie Stone (Emilia, West End) as Iago, Molly Chesworth (Call the Midwife, BBC) as Desdemona, Laura Andresen Guimarães (Just So, The Watermill) as Bianca, Damien James (The Play That Goes Wrong, West End/UK tour) as Montano, Ediz Mahmut (Carousel, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) as Roderigo, Yazdan Qafouri (The Wicker Husband, Watermill) as Cassio, Benedict Salter (A Christmas Carol, Derby Theatre) as The Duke of Venice/Lodovico, Augustina Seymour (King Lear, Shakespeare’s Globe) as Brabanzia, and Chioma Uma (Doctor Who Time Fracture, Immersive LDN) as Emilia.

Othello is co-directed by Paul Hart and Anjali Mehra, who also choreographs, and designed by Ceci Calf, with musical direction by Nadine Lee, lighting by Ali Hunter, sound by Ed Lewis, and projection by Sam Diaz.

Paul Hart and Anjali Mehra said: “The Watermill ensemble is all about creating dynamic new adaptations of Shakespeare. With a 50/50 gender split, a diverse team and actor musicians breathing fresh life into this beautiful and devastating play. Music will play a central role with music from Billie Eilish, Emeli Sandé, Childish Gambino, Michael Kiwanuka and The Fugees.

“The themes represented in the play of prejudice, propaganda, social mobility and mental health feel searingly relevant in today’s mindset and consciousness. We can’t wait to get cracking with this amazing cast!”

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.