Not playing the victim
Actress Caitlin Fitzgerald spoke to David Hennessy about starring in Othello on the West End and the play’s exploration of race, jealousy, toxic masculinity, misogyny, and domestic violence.
Caitlin Fitzgerald’s Career
Fitzgerald’s screen credits include the award-winning series Succession, the period drama Masters of Sex, Sweetbitter based on Stephanie Danler’s best-selling novel, Netflix’s courtroom drama film The Trial of the Chicago 7, and the recent Amazon Prime hit We Were Liars.
Current Theatre Role
She is currently starring in Shakespeare’s Othello at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Caitlin plays Desdemona, wife of David Harewood’s Moorish general. Harewood performs as Othello, while Toby Jones takes the role of Iago, who manipulates Othello to wrongly believe Desdemona has been unfaithful, leading to tragedy.
Production Details
- Directed by Tony Award winner Tom Morris
- Cast includes Vinette Robinson and Luke Treadaway
- Features music from PJ Harvey
Thematic Elements of Othello
The play addresses themes such as jealousy, misogyny, toxic masculinity, and domestic violence. It also confronts race, highlighting racist actions directed at the black protagonist by other characters.
About Caitlin Fitzgerald
Born in Camden, Maine, Fitzgerald developed a passion for acting from a young age.
"It is a play that deals with race with the actions of many characters towards its black protagonist being described as racist."
Author’s summary: Caitlin Fitzgerald highlights the enduring power of Shakespeare’s Othello, exploring deep social issues through a compelling West End production.