The Royal Shakespeare Company has postponed its planned production of “Othello” because its star, Sharon D. Clarke, is undergoing cancer treatment. The decision reflects the centrality of Clarke’s casting to director Touko’s reimagining of the tragedy, which examines misogynoir, and means the production will be revisited at a later date.

The show had been due to run at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 13 February to 3 April 2027. RSC co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said they wanted to give Clarke space for treatment, while Clarke said the production would be her “north star”; affected ticket holders will receive automatic refunds and replacement programming is to be announced.