Dame Janet Suzman
Othello the Outsider
Summary
A discussion on the relevance of Shakespeare’s Othello in today’s world, particularly in relation to racism. Dame Janet Suzman talks about her experience directing a production of the play in apartheid-era South Africa and how the insights into the vulnerabilities of a Black person in a largely white society still resonate today.
Dame Janet Suzman
Janet Guzman, DBE, is a South African/British actress who enjoyed a successful early career in the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). She has always kept strong links with the country of her birth, South Africa, where she began her directing career with a production of Othello with John Kani, seen as a protest play, in 1987 at the Market Theatre. Her films include Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982), and A Dry White Season (1989). Her television series include Clayhanger (1976), Lord Mountbatten: The Viceroy (1986), and The Singing Detective (1986). Janet was made a Dame in 2011. She has honorary doctorates from among others, Cape Town, Warwick, and London (QMW) Universities.
No, as I try to explain, it was in the culture itself. I think they can be influential, which is odd to me that an actor should be influential in any way, but people seem to want role models. It’s quite a mystery to me, frankly.