Othello completes impressive Bard feat for young director Benji
Trent College graduate Benji Bailey will achieve the impressive feat of having directed all four of the Bard’s major tragedies when the Trent Shakespeare Company’s new production of Othello enjoys a two-night run at Trent College next week (6th and 7th December).
This summer 19-year-old Benji, who founded the Trent Shakespeare Company a year ago, received critical acclaim for his interpretation of Macbeth, which sold out three consecutive nights at the Nottingham Arts Theatre studio. He had previously directed Hamlet in March, having helped direct a Lower School production of King Lear the previous year.
An actor of note also, featuring in a number of plays at the Lace Market Theatre in Nottingham including a successful performance as the fool Touchstone in Dan Maddison’s celebrated As You Like It last November, Benji currently works as a gap year Drama Assistant at Trent College after securing three A* grades in his A-Levels this summer.
Now he can’t wait to bring to life another of Shakespeare’s heavy hitters in Othello.
Benji said: “This production of Othello is built on a number of precepts. First and foremost is the concept of ensemble, using a very strong chorus throughout who each play a number of roles and are as integral to the production as any of the principals.
“Secondly, we have worked on developing a strong visual language to match Shakespeare’s very rich text, a stylistic discipline common to all of my productions and heavily-influenced by the work and writing of eminent actor and writer Steven Berkoff. Finally, audiences can expect some very strong performances, as well as the fantastic work of our new designer Rebecca Bradbury.”
The lead role of Othello will be played by Trent College newcomer Jyuddah Jaymes, with new Drama scholar Michael Fairless, recently acclaimed in the lead role of a main-stage production of Kafka's The Trial at the Nottingham Playhouse, as Iago. The extremely talented cast also includes students Kate Walker, Laurence Herbert and Ollie Hayes.
For more information about Trent College visit www.trentcollege.net