London Shakespeare Workshop Prison Project presents

Blacking Iago

February - April 2006

“The blend of theatrical professionals, ex-offenders and prison inmates works at the highest level.” Michael Billington, The Guardian

The latest production to be tackled by LSW in its Dream Factory is Blacking Iago, an original take on Shakespeare’s Othello, celebrating diversity and thriving on the exploration of 'inter-racial issues'.

What makes the Dream Factory's production so special, is the successful collaboration of professional actors and ex-offenders. The result is a cast of diverse and fascinating characters, each bringing their own energy and interpretation to the script - which is in itself 70% inmate/ex-offender produced. The vision of the Dream Factory has been applauded by a number of political and theatrical notables such as Kenneth Branagh, Benjamin Zephaniah, Juliet Stevenson and Richard Dreyfus, and support is ever growing.

A few points about the production:
Each member of the cast wears prison issue under a general wash of lights.

There is no discernable set – just a ring of chairs – and so the audience are completely engaged with the production from the very start.

Original inmate writing, including an original prologue written by Clare, a woman serving her life’s sentence at HMP Cookham Wood and recipient of 37 Koestler Awards for literature.

A wholly original 90-minute score for piano and cello composed by LSW’s musical director, Tim Williams, accompanies the piece.

Upon entry into the performing space, the Blacking Iago cast will greet the audience. Ninety minutes later, upon completion of the interval-less production, the same audience will have an opportunity during a 20-minute ‘talk-back’ to share in a discussion of the work and the vital ideology behind it, much as is reflected in Shakespeare’s own universal concerns.

"Absolutely captivating - it was great to see life breathed into Shakespeare by such talented actors."
Times Onlline.