Behind the Lines: Representing the military on stage

This short film offers reflections on the impact of performances of 'Othello' by Ira Aldridge, Paul Robeson and Willard White. Professors Carol Chillington Rutter and Tony Howard offer commentary, alongside Adrian Lester who discusses playing Ira Aldridge in 'Red Velvet'.

Professors Carol Chillington Rutter and Tony Howard alongside Adrian Lester, fresh from playing Othello, discuss the National Theatre's four productions of Othello 1964-2013. The film explores the performances of Laurence Olivier, Paul Scofield, David Harewood and Adrian Lester and considers the context of each production as well as the interpretation of Othello's character.

Originally broadcast as part of the National Theatre Live broadcast of 'Othello', this film looks at the military setting of the play and the role of Major-General Jonathan Shaw who helped to create this environment authentic on the Olivier stage. Featured in this video: Nicholas Hytner (Director), Rory Kinnear (actor), Adrian Lester (Actor), Major-General Jonathan Shaw (Military Advisor) and Kate Waters (Fight Director)

Adrian Lester (Othello) and Rory Kinnear (Iago) talk about their characters, the relationship between them, their relative position in the social and military hierarchy of the play and the motivations for their actions. This film includes footage from the National Theatre's 2013 production.

Rory Kinnear and Lyndsey Marshal talk to Al Senter about their careers and performing in Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production of Othello.

Fight Director Kate Waters works with the cast of Othello to create the fight sequence in Act 2 Scene 3, beginning with Cassio's pursuit of Roderigo and culminating in this production in a messy brawl. Kate works through the key moments of the fight with the actors, explaining how to create realistic effects on stage. This film includes footage from the 2013 production.

Nicholas Hytner talks about directing Othello, the play's performance history and staging Shakespeare productions at the National Theatre in this podcast. This is a recording of a live Platform event from April 2013.

Olivia Vinall (Desdemona) and Lyndsey Marshal (Emilia) talk about their characters, the relationship between them and the position of women in the world of the play. This film includes footage from the National Theatre's 2013 production.

Adrian Lester talks to Al Senter about playing the role of Othello in Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production, and how playing Ira Aldridge in Red Velvet influenced his performance. He also talks about acting and directing the BBC series of Hustle, performing for Stephen Sondheim and his future plans.

This is a background pack for Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production of Othello with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear. Included in this pack are interviews with the cast and a rehearsal diary.