‘Shakespeare needs to come off the page’

Caitlin Kilburn (as Bianca) and Marc Kay (as Cassio) in Othello which opened in Durban this week.

Caitlin Kilburn (as Bianca) and Marc Kay (as Cassio) in Othello which opened in Durban this week.

Published Feb 17, 2015

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Caitlin Kilburn gets her bard on in Think Theatre’s production of Othello

 

Well known Durban actress Caitlin Kilburn makes her debut in Think Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s Othello which opened in Durban on Monday for a season, before touring the country.WELL known Durban actress Caitlin Kilburn makes her debut in Think Theatre’s production of Shakespear’s Othello which opened in Durban on Monday for a season, before touring the country.

Othello is directed by award-winning actress Clare Mortimer and is also an important learning aid for high shoolers studying this Shakespearean tragedy which delves into themes of love, envy and betrayal.

Kilburn plays the role of Bianca, Cassio’s jealous lover. Despite her brief appearance on stage, Bianca has a major influence on Iago’s plan to fuel the flames of Othello’s jealousy towards Cassio.

Kilburn said: “I like that Bianca is feisty and speaks her own mind. She is so strong and it’s always nice to play a character with a lot of energy.”

She said being a part of the production was intimidating at first: “Not the character so much, but because Shakespeare is quite intimidating. But it’s been a very good process. Clare is very good with this because she has been doing it for so long and taken so many people through the process. As a director she is very gentle and very open to the process. She’s very patient, because I had a lot of questions. She’s always very approachable and very available.”

On a parting note Kilburn added that watching a production like this on stage, especially something as complex as Shakespeare, has immense value. “It needs to come off the page. It’s so important for an audience member and a reader not to be overwhelmed by the words, but more by the emotion and the intent behind the story. When it’s in front of you, it becomes real and not just words on a page.”

Other cast members include Durban Theatre Award winner Nhlakanipho Manqele in the title role, with Cara Roberts as his ill-fated young wife, Desdemona. Clinton Small plays the villainous Iago and Mortimer as his wife, Emilia. Michael Gritten, Marc Kay, Bryan Hiles, Rowan Bartlett and Darren King join the cast again.

Schools performances of Othello are at 9am and noon daily, Mondays to Fridays.

Booking is through 033 343 4884 or 084 556 0668.

Othello plays at the Playhouse Drama until March 20. The production will also receive performances in Richards Bay, Port Shepstone and Northern KZN between March 23 and 26. It will then tour Gauteng at the University of Johannesburg from May 4 to 15, moving to the Brooklyn Theatre in Pretoria from May 18 to 22.

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