Newcomer Olivia Vinall has won the much coveted part of Desdemona in the National Theatre’s forthcoming production of Othello, which will star Adrian Lester in the title role.
According to the Daily Mail, Vinall came to the National Theatre’s attention for her critically acclaimed performance in last year’s The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs at the Belgrade theatre in Coventry.
The Drama Studio London graduate made her London stage debut in 2010 when she starred in a production of Romeo And Juliet at the Leicester Square theatre. On screen the young actress has also made appearances in long-running BBC series Doctor Who, Casualty and Doctors.
While exact dates and details for the production are yet to be announced, the National Theatre confirmed that Red Velvet star Lester would take on the iconic role in a press release last year, with National Theatre regular and Olivier Award-winning Rory Kinnear set to play Iago. The production will be directed by the National Theatre’s Director Nicholas Hytner.
Staged as part of the National Theatre’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Othello will play from April with tickets on sale next month.