Othello on location in Northern Cyprus

“…O, beware my Lord, of jealousy!  It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on…,” William Shakespeare, Othello, Act 3 Scene 3.

This was just one of the stirring speeches that echoed around the bastions of Othello’s Tower in Famagusta last Sunday (March 20), when the London-based Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre actors and camera crew, descended upon the ancient monument to record some footage for posterity.

But not just for posterity!  April 23rd 2016 sees the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death and in celebration of the ‘Bard’s’ works, the Globe Theatre will be mounting a week-long feast of entertainment both in the theatre and on 37 large screens stretching along the Embankment in London, from Westminster to Tower Bridge.

Thirty-seven short films have been shot around the world, including in Scotland, Denmark, Venice, Madrid, Barbados and, of course, Famagusta, of places or locations which supposedly inspired Shakespeare to write his plays.

The films will be shown every day for a week from 10am till 10pm and will then get a second screening in some of the major capitals of countries around the world.

Playing Othello was well known Shakespearian, film and television actor David Harewood, perhaps best known for his current roles in the American TV series, “Homeland” and BBC1’s “The Night Manager”.  And, alongside him in the role of Lago was John Heffernan, a classical Shakespearian actor, a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and a regular at the National Theatre in London.  He is also recognised for his many roles in UK TV dramas.

Filming at Othello’s Tower was directed by stage and screen director, James Dacre.

These moments and the accompanying photographs were captured by Peter Wills, founder of North Cyprus Film who is also currently involved in the setting up of a Film Commission for North Cyprus.  He also acted as location manager for the shoot.

Peter says, “Since settling in North Cyprus some six years ago, it has been my aim and desire to attract film-makers and TV dramatists to use the island as a location for their shoots.  We have a wide variety of locations available from fabulous beaches, remote moorland and forests, traditional towns and villages and ancient monuments plus those all-important factors, fantastic weather and a friendly, welcoming people.

 “The visit of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre film crew with their talented actors, has given this project an exciting kick-start.  I hope it is the first of many more to come.

“We hope to be able to show the film shot at Othello’s Tower, via social media at the end of April.”

(Cyprusscene)