Rylance preparing for a return to Shakespeare’s Globe in Othello role

SIR MARK Rylance will return to Shakespeare’s Globe to star in a new production of Othello.

The Oscar-winning actor, who was the theatre’s first artistic director, will play antagonist Iago opposite Moonlight and Selma star Andre Holland as the tragedy’s title character. It is part of the first season for the Globe’s new artistic director Michelle Terry, which will also include a premiere of two new plays, a new production of Hamlet among other classics, and a series of events focused on race, refuge and refugees in relation to Shakespeare.

Bridge Of Spies and Dunkirk actor Sir Mark, now starring in the Globe’s production of Farinelli

And The King on Broadway, will take to the stage as the villainous Iago from July 20 until October 13. Sir Mark was the Globe’s founding artistic director from 1996 until 2005, during which time he played several roles including Olivia in Twelfth Night and Richard in Richard III.

The production will be directed by the Old Vic’s creative associate Claire van Kampen, who wrote

Farinelli And The King and who is married to Sir Mark.

He will also join 23 other actors in a special event at Westminster Abbey over Shakespeare’s birthday weekend in April when plays, sonnets and songs will be brought to life. Olivier Award-winning actor and writer Terry, who has acted on the Globe’s stage, was confirmed to be taking over from Emma Rice as creative lead at the London theatre last summer.