SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: Sir Patrick Stewart announces he is going to 'play Othello as a white man' 

By Sebastian Shakespeare for the Daily Mail

Published: 19:46 EST, 15 July 2015 | Updated: 19:47 EST, 15 July 2015

When civil rights activist Paul Robeson took the role of Othello on Broadway in 1943, one reviewer declared that ‘no white man should ever dare play the part again’.

In the 70 years since then, political correctness has forced most white actors to steer well clear of William Shakespeare’s tragic Moor.

Now, however, 75-year-old Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart is to boldly go where few of his white contemporaries have gone before.

It would appear 75-year-old Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart (pictured) is to boldly go where few of his white contemporaries have gone before, writes SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE

It would appear 75-year-old Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart (pictured) is to boldly go where few of his white contemporaries have gone before, writes SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE

He has decided to challenge the colour ban and even plans to appear in a new production of Othello with himself in the title role.

‘In the big picture, everyone should be able to play anything and I am against embargoes on actors playing roles that differ from their own ethnicity or gender,’ he tells me at a party in Soho he attended with his wife, Sunny Ozell, 36.

‘I am in favour of as much diversity as possible because it’s art — it’s not politics, it’s not government, it’s creativity.’

The Yorkshireman, who became a Hollywood star through his performances in blockbusters including the X-Men series, says actors have a duty to challenge such conventions. 

‘At times theatre has to run into the arms of politics and run into the arms of taste and prejudice and hatred and all of those strong feelings that people have and not turn away from anything.’ 

Sir Patrick played Othello in a U.S. production in 1997 and says he would not ‘black up’ when he reprises the role in his planned new staging of the play.

Legendary actor Laurence Olivier as Othello in the 1965 film - Sir Patrick wants to play the role 'as a white man'

Legendary actor Laurence Olivier as Othello in the 1965 film - Sir Patrick wants to play the role 'as a white man'

‘I want to do Othello again, now that it’s nearly 20 years on since I last played it. I would do it without painting my face black; I want to play a white Othello again.’

Sir Laurence Olivier played Othello in the celebrated 1965 big-screen adaptation, but by the time it was filmed again 30 years later only black actors were considered acceptable for the part, with Laurence Fishburne winning the role.

Sir Patrick’s comments echo those of James Bond villain Steven Berkoff, who said last month that ‘the fiends of political correctness’ had turned the role into a ‘no-go zone’ for white men.

 

CLOWNING ON THE BEACH WITH MRS COLIN FIRTH...

Oscar-winner Colin Firth’s smooth complexion led to flattering comparisons with his contemporary Hugh Grant, who looked jowly in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.

Now Firth’s wife, Livia, is taking drastic measures to ensure her model looks are not damaged by the sun.

Colin Firth’s wife, Livia, is taking drastic measures to ensure her model looks are not damaged by the sun

Colin Firth’s wife, Livia, is taking drastic measures to ensure her model looks are not damaged by the sun

While on holiday, Italian-born ‘ethical fashion’ activist Livia, 45, has been using an American sunscreen made of zinc oxide that comes in nine colours.

Explaining the pink and orange stripes across her face, Livia says: ‘Did I find the perfect recipe for being in the sun wrinkle-free, though looking like a lunatic? Just discovered Zinka, which is what surfers use in California.’

If only it wasn’t too late to save poor Hugh’s features.

 

Perky pop star Taylor Swift removed her music from website Spotify last year in a royalties row. But fellow singer Jessie Ware says such protests are ‘stupid’. Speaking at the Cos party at the Serpentine Gallery in London, Jessie tells me: ‘I was discovered online, so I would never withdraw my music like Taylor. Artists shouldn’t rebel against streaming services because that’s the future.’

 

GARRICK BOSS BEGS FOR END TO 'SNIDE, PERSONAL ATTACKS' 

Founded as a place where ‘men of refinement and education might meet’, the Garrick Club has turned into a bloody battlefield.

After a highly acrimonious vote on allowing women into the London establishment at its annual general meeting, new chairman Peter Riddell has written to members pleading for an end to the sex wars.

‘The AGM has unquestionably been damaging both internally and externally,’ he admits. ‘The tone and, in particular, the snide, personal attacks in a few speeches appalled a large number of members on both sides of the argument.’

Members, who include Stephen Fry and Sir Roger Moore, voted narrowly to let women join but lacked the required two-thirds majority. ‘The underlying question will not go away,’ Riddell warns. ‘The Club is split down the middle.

‘I hope that . . . the general committee can consider whether there are possible ways forward, listening to members in a spirit of mutual respect, and avoiding the recent personal acrimony.’

 

Reports that the Queen won’t be breeding any more corgis will be music to the ears of Princess Michael of Kent. Outspoken Marie-Christine once told an interviewer: ‘They should all be shot.’ According to reports, the Queen later remarked of ‘Princess Pushy’: ‘Well, at least they are all better behaved than her.’

The Queen pictured in 1969 at King's Cross railway station 9 with her four corgis following a holiday

The Queen pictured in 1969 at King's Cross railway station 9 with her four corgis following a holiday

 

Comments (31)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now