LANCASTER Castle takes centre stage for one of the world’s most famous plays.

Othello is arguably the most psychologically compelling and heartbreaking of Shakespeare’s tragedies and the awesome yet intimate backdrop of the castle’s famous law courts and medieval Hadrian’s Tower provide the perfect locations for the Venetian state and citadel of Cyprus.

Staged by Stephen Tomlin’s Demi-paradise Productions, Othello runs until March 22.

The fast moving Shakespeare play has Louie Ingham, associate director of Lancaster’s The Dukes theatre, making her company debut as artistic director alongside costume and set designer Rachel Daniels and musical director and composer Lee Affen.

Employing some of the region’s finest acting talent to perform in one of the most extraordinary non-theatrical venues in England is no mean feat, but it’s one that producer Stephen seems to pull off every two years. This time, though, the Lancaster based TV actor and former BBC TV Mastermind Champion has a few surprises up his sleeve and is very excited about what’s on offer with this, the ninth play he’s produced at the castle.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved as an ensemble since I started the Demi-paradise project back in 2000,” says Steve,“ and I’m determined to keep that spirit alive by injecting radical younger generation theatre practice into our tried and tested model.

“That’s why I’m thrilled to have Louie Ingham in place as artistic director for Othello. Through intensive workshop auditions we’ve hand picked a fantastic company of performers dedicated to creating exciting immersive theatre. Ours will be a no holds barred engagement – physical, mental and spiritual – with one of the most powerful and moving domestic tragedies in the classical repertoire.”

Steve adds that the production has a strong contemporary treatment and physical flavour, enhanced with both live and recorded music and song. Action, is set mainly in Shire Hall, but also, for the first time, in the old prison side of the city’s landmark building, which only opened its massive gates to the public in May last year after 800 almost unbroken years as a prison.

Othello the Moor, is a charismatic general employed by the Venetian state, who has secretly married the much younger Desdemona, much to the fury of her father, Senator Brabantio. Iago, a junior officer nursing deep resentment against Othello, enlists the help of Roderigo, a disappointed suitor of Desdemona, to plot his superior’s downfall.

Box office 01524-64998.