How cool is this?

[rflong]

Lenny Henry in Othello. Yes, my first thought was "huh?" as well, and my second was "oh no!" but apparently not.

For those who don't know him Lenny Henry is a comedian, who I've always enjoyed in a Saturday evening with the parents kind of a way - funny, inoffensive, and not exactly earthshaking radical comedy (ok Tiswas in the 80s was a pretty radical children's TV show but that had more to do with the general sense of anarchy that overran it). Don't get me wrong, he's funny. He's very funny.

I just didn't ever expect to see that review. What a sheer joy. How incredible to see someone break out of a stereotype and to use Shakespeare to do it. I would really love to see the production. I love Othello, usually for the sheer evil that is Iago, who never really provides a satisfactory reason for his actions in poisoning Othello towards his wife and instigating her murder, nothing more than a general "because I can."

I do love Shakespeare. On so many levels.

Comments

[gsemones.livejournal.com]

You reminded me of a similar story. Over there in the UK, did you guys ever see much of the character "Ernest P. Worrel?" The actor Jim Varney invented him, and became quite well known for commercials, and silly movies in the "Ernest Goes To Camp" tradition. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_P._Worrell)

Anyway, I heard him interviewed on a radio show once (as Jim Varney, not Ernest), and he talked about his drama background. He mentioned doing a lot of Shakespeare in college and then launched off into an incredible soliloquy that was spot on.

I met him once in person back in the 1990's before he died. Very nice man. I would have *loved* to see him on stage as something other than Ernest.

[rflong.livejournal.com]

I remember Ernest! Don't think I ever saw the films but I remember the character.

It's amazing how we only expect certain things from certain actors. And a shame because some are able for so much more.

[camillealexa.livejournal.com]

Shakespeare! Do you like Slings and Arrows?

[rflong.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I haven't seen that - don't think it has been released over here! Looks fun. T'internet is a great source of info - love that an actor character gets run over by a Canadian Hams truck! LOL!

[camillealexa.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I don't have a television and tend to suffer serious sticker shock at movie theatres, but we're all about the Netflix (which *does* have S&A!).

[clhollandwriter]

I like Shakespeare too, although I have to admit a preference for Marlowe's Dr. Faustus.