Written by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Margo Hall, the story centers upon Ira Aldridge, a successful, African American actor who is the first black man to portray Othello on the London stage in 1833. It features a powerful, gripping performance by Carl Lumbly as Aldridge and a strong supporting cast.
Through June 25. San Francisco Playhouse, Second floor of the Kensington Park Hotel,
450 Post St., S.F. (415) 677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org
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| In “Red Velvet,” Carl Lumbly portrays Ira Aldridge, an American actor who became the first black man to portray Othello at Covent Garden theatre and on a British stage. |
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L-R: Arriving in London, Ira
Aldrige (Carl Lumbly) meets Covent Garden theatre company manager Pierre
LaPorte (Patrick Russell) and fellow thespian Henry Forester (Devin O’Brien).
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Carl Lumbly
(Ira Aldrige) and Susi Damilano (Ellen Tree) performing as Othello and
Desdemona in “Red Velvet.”
Photos by Ken Levin
