This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/7894330.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Henry swaps comedy for Shakespeare Henry swaps comedy for Shakespeare
(3 days later)
Henry will tour the UK in OthelloHenry will tour the UK in Othello
By Caroline Briggs Arts and culture reporter, BBC NewsBy Caroline Briggs Arts and culture reporter, BBC News
Comedian Lenny Henry turns tragic hero in Shakespeare's Othello at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.Comedian Lenny Henry turns tragic hero in Shakespeare's Othello at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Growing up in the Midlands in the late 1960s did not set comedian Lenny Henry up for a life treading the boards. Far from it.Growing up in the Midlands in the late 1960s did not set comedian Lenny Henry up for a life treading the boards. Far from it.
In his words, Shakespeare "didn't seem to be for working class kids in Dudley".In his words, Shakespeare "didn't seem to be for working class kids in Dudley".
And sitting in the green room of West Yorkshire's Playhouse, where he has started a four-week run as Othello, Henry admits he is more than a little surprised to be there.And sitting in the green room of West Yorkshire's Playhouse, where he has started a four-week run as Othello, Henry admits he is more than a little surprised to be there.
"Shakespeare came to us as kids via Romeo and Juliet," he explains."Shakespeare came to us as kids via Romeo and Juliet," he explains.
"The books were given to us and we were told to read them. We didn't know it was a play, we didn't know it was sexy, we didn't know it had action."The books were given to us and we were told to read them. We didn't know it was a play, we didn't know it was sexy, we didn't know it had action.
Henry is being directed in the role by Barrie Rutter of Northern Broadsides In pictures: Lenny Henry in Othello "When you look at a Shakespeare text and all the footnotes and the little numbers by it, and the archaic language - the thou, dost, hast - it just feels like Chinese algebra or something. We just didn't get it.Henry is being directed in the role by Barrie Rutter of Northern Broadsides In pictures: Lenny Henry in Othello "When you look at a Shakespeare text and all the footnotes and the little numbers by it, and the archaic language - the thou, dost, hast - it just feels like Chinese algebra or something. We just didn't get it.
"I wish they had told us it had action in it - like the Avengers or Doctor Who or Batman or something - because all that sword fighting is so romantic and swashbuckling."I wish they had told us it had action in it - like the Avengers or Doctor Who or Batman or something - because all that sword fighting is so romantic and swashbuckling.
"If only they had got us up, told us it was play, and you do this and you say that, we probably would have had a better experience of it, but we just read it.""If only they had got us up, told us it was play, and you do this and you say that, we probably would have had a better experience of it, but we just read it."
If Henry is bitter about his formative introduction to the Bard, it doesn't show, and it hasn't stopped him approaching Shakespeare with childlike gusto in recent years.If Henry is bitter about his formative introduction to the Bard, it doesn't show, and it hasn't stopped him approaching Shakespeare with childlike gusto in recent years.
Talking to Shakespearen stalwarts like Dame Judi Dench and Pattison Joseph, Henry was piqued by their passion.Talking to Shakespearen stalwarts like Dame Judi Dench and Pattison Joseph, Henry was piqued by their passion.
He then spent 12 months studying the Bard for his BA in English Literature, devouring Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra, Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello and Hamlet.He then spent 12 months studying the Bard for his BA in English Literature, devouring Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra, Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello and Hamlet.
Lenny Henry talks about his new roleLenny Henry talks about his new role
But it was his subsequent 2006 BBC Radio 4 documentary, Lenny and Will, which set him on the path to playing Othello.But it was his subsequent 2006 BBC Radio 4 documentary, Lenny and Will, which set him on the path to playing Othello.
The documentary included an interview with Barrie Rutter, the artistic director of Northern Broadsides - a company that presents the classics in a northern voice.The documentary included an interview with Barrie Rutter, the artistic director of Northern Broadsides - a company that presents the classics in a northern voice.
He directed Henry reading the final passage from Othello. At the time, Rutter says, he simply thought: "Ooo... there's something here".He directed Henry reading the final passage from Othello. At the time, Rutter says, he simply thought: "Ooo... there's something here".
"Len asked me 'could I do this?' and I said 'on the evidence of that, yeh. Let's do some more work on it,' says Rutter, who set up Northern Broadsides 17 years ago."Len asked me 'could I do this?' and I said 'on the evidence of that, yeh. Let's do some more work on it,' says Rutter, who set up Northern Broadsides 17 years ago.
"And if I was ever going to do a Othello I needed a 50-year-old black man and there he was in front of me, and potentially very good, That's what I spotted.""And if I was ever going to do a Othello I needed a 50-year-old black man and there he was in front of me, and potentially very good, That's what I spotted."
OutsiderOutsider
Over the past five weeks Rutter has also seen Henry transform himself physically and mentally to play Shakespeare's betrayed Moorish general.Over the past five weeks Rutter has also seen Henry transform himself physically and mentally to play Shakespeare's betrayed Moorish general.
He spent three months beefing up in the gym, and worked on his "deep and melodious" voice, which Henry describes as "standard English with hints of African". There is only a small betrayal of his Dudley roots.He spent three months beefing up in the gym, and worked on his "deep and melodious" voice, which Henry describes as "standard English with hints of African". There is only a small betrayal of his Dudley roots.
Henry spends the first half of the play being a noble man of stature. In the second he is on the move. He is furious, enraged, perplexed and determined. He cheerily admits the role is "demanding".Henry spends the first half of the play being a noble man of stature. In the second he is on the move. He is furious, enraged, perplexed and determined. He cheerily admits the role is "demanding".
FAMOUS OTHELLOS 1961 - Sir John Gielgud1964 - Sir Laurence Olivier1985 - Ben Kingsley1999 - Ray FearonFAMOUS OTHELLOS 1961 - Sir John Gielgud1964 - Sir Laurence Olivier1985 - Ben Kingsley1999 - Ray Fearon
And Othello, Shakespeare's isolated outsider, is a role Henry identifies with.And Othello, Shakespeare's isolated outsider, is a role Henry identifies with.
Racism was a daily ordeal at his school, and he was often the only black person in the room when he toured the unforgiving club circuit in the early 1970s.Racism was a daily ordeal at his school, and he was often the only black person in the room when he toured the unforgiving club circuit in the early 1970s.
Even in acting circles, Henry explains, he often felt like he was outside looking in.Even in acting circles, Henry explains, he often felt like he was outside looking in.
"Northern Broadside have made me feel welcomed into the Shakespearean circle, whereas before I felt it was not for me.," he says."Northern Broadside have made me feel welcomed into the Shakespearean circle, whereas before I felt it was not for me.," he says.
"Now I think its is actually feel it is for me and for anyone who wants to enjoy it. These are universal plays with universal themes - love, loss, betrayal, hatred, envy, poverty, wealth."Now I think its is actually feel it is for me and for anyone who wants to enjoy it. These are universal plays with universal themes - love, loss, betrayal, hatred, envy, poverty, wealth.
"It's incredibly exciting - I'm way out of my comfort zone - but I really like it there.""It's incredibly exciting - I'm way out of my comfort zone - but I really like it there."
ProudProud
After winning New Faces in 1976, Henry's comfort zone has always centred around comedy, introducing characters like soul singer Theophilus P Wildebeeste, and Brixton wideboy Delbert Wilkins, to our TV screens. After winning New Faces in 1976, Henry's comfort zone has always centred around comedy, introducing characters like soul singer Theophilus P Wildebeeste, and Brixton wideboy Delbert Wilkins, to our TV screens. MORE FROM IPLAYER Behind the scenes with Radio 4's documentary href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00hlp7l/b00hln97/Lenny_Henry_Plays_Othello/">Lenny Henry Plays OthelloThe view from Radio 4's Arts programme href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00hhn5k/b00hhn53/Front_Row_19_02_2009/">Front Row
More serious roles have included the BBC's Hope and Glory, but for the past 32 years making people laugh has been his thing.More serious roles have included the BBC's Hope and Glory, but for the past 32 years making people laugh has been his thing.
So why, at the age of 50, would he dive head first into such a huge challenge? Hamlet and King Lear excepted, there is no deeper end in Shakespeare than Othello.So why, at the age of 50, would he dive head first into such a huge challenge? Hamlet and King Lear excepted, there is no deeper end in Shakespeare than Othello.
"I think it's good to try something new," he says simply."I think it's good to try something new," he says simply.
"I love comedy but the rut that you stay in eventually becomes a grave and I think you've got to keep moving otherwise you'll keel over and that will be that.""I love comedy but the rut that you stay in eventually becomes a grave and I think you've got to keep moving otherwise you'll keel over and that will be that."
He adds: "It may not be THE Othello, but it's my Othello, and that's what I'm proud of. I'm proud to have got here."He adds: "It may not be THE Othello, but it's my Othello, and that's what I'm proud of. I'm proud to have got here."
Othello will visit theatres in Scarborough, Coventry, Bath, Kingston, Newcastle Under Lyme and Halifax in April and May.Othello will visit theatres in Scarborough, Coventry, Bath, Kingston, Newcastle Under Lyme and Halifax in April and May.