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The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has postponed its upcoming production of Othello, starring Sharon D Clarke, as the actress and singer undergoes cancer treatment.<\/p>\n
The show had been scheduled to run next year from February 13 until April 3 at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, with the Olivier Award-winning actress Clarke as the title role.<\/p>\n
The RSC said all audience members affected by the cancellation will be automatically refunded, and replacement programming will be announced in due course.<\/p>\n
Clarke said: \u201cI\u202fwould like to thank all the beautiful people at the RSC for their understanding, love, support and healing energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cOthello will be my north star as I undergo treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Referencing her wife, theatre director Susie McKenna, the 60-year-old added: \u201cSusie, my family and I are overwhelmed, humbled and buoyed by the tidal wave of love that we have received and are so blessed to have an army of strength and support to hold us up.<\/p>\n
\u201cLove and thanks to my beautiful people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Monique Touko, the director of the production, said: \u201cOn behalf of the entire creative team, we send Sharon all the love for her ongoing treatment and recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a director, I have been incredibly blessed to collaborate with Sharon on this major reframing of Shakespeare\u2019s tragedy, which reimagines Shakespeare\u2019s Othello through the lens of misogynoir.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer generosity and passion for this project continues to astound me and I look forward to us coming back together when the time is right to share this production with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, RSC co-artistic directors, added: \u201cThe casting of Sharon\u00a0as Othello\u00a0is\u00a0integral to\u00a0Monique Touko\u2019s\u00a0adaptation,\u00a0which is why we have taken the difficult decision to postpone, to\u00a0give Sharon the time and space she needs to undertake treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cSharon is, in every sense of the word, a warrior and, we know she will meet this challenge with the unwavering strength and indomitable spirit that she brings to so many aspects of her life and work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to revisiting this thrilling collaboration in the future and, on behalf of everyone at the RSC, we send Sharon our love and strength for a full recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n