Lindsey R. Swindall examines the historical and political
context of acclaimed African American actor Paul Robeson's three
portrayals of Shakespeare's Othello in the United Kingdom and the
United States. These performances took place in London in 1930, on
Broadway in 1943, and in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1959. All three of
the productions, when considered together, provide an intriguing
glimpse into Robeson's artistry as well as his political
activism.
"The Politics of Paul Robeson's Othello" maintains that
Robeson's development into a politically minded artist explicates
the broader issue of the role of the African American artist in
times of crisis. Robeson (1898-1976) fervently believed that
political engagement was an inherent component of the role of the
artist in society, and his performances demonstrate this
conviction.
In the 1930 production, audiences and critics alike confronted
the question: Should a black actor play Othello in an otherwise
all-white cast? In the 1943 production on Broadway, Robeson
consciously used the role as a form for questioning theater
segregation both onstage and in the seats. In 1959, after he had
become well known for his leftist views and sympathies with
Communism, his performance in a major Stratford-upon-Avon
production called into question whether audiences could accept
onstage an African American who held radical-and increasingly
unpopular-political views. Swindall thoughtfully uses Robeson's
Othello performances as a collective lens to analyze the actor and
activist's political and intellectual development.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!