Fortunes of the Moor
Shakespeare’s Othello concludes with Desdemona’s kin planning to “…seize upon the fortunes of the Moor….” Fortunes of The Moor supposes Desdemona, disowned by her father, takes refuge at a convent and gives birth to a son. After the Venetian victory in Cyprus under Othello’s command, Desdemona leaves their infant son at the Venetian convent and joins Othello in Cyprus.
The play is set in Othello’s home village where an African griot tells the story. Othello’s family journeys to Venice to find Othello’s son and raise him as their own while Desdemona’s kin connive to claim Othello’s fortune by deceit, kidnapping, and murder.
Premiere in New York at the Frank Silvera Writers’ Workshop:
AUDELCO Writers’/Directors’ Award.
Chicago’s ETA Creative Arts production:
“More power to the authors for illuminating the troubling issues of race behind ‘Othello’ in such an original and provocative fashion…. This play has dignity, gravitas, and a poignant finale.”
– Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
Abibigroma [Ghana’s National Theatre Company] presented the play at the Drama Studio, Legon; the National Theatre, Accra; and the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival, Cape Coast.
“Artfully compressed within this story is a tale of lies, intrigue, cunning greed and murder as the battle of wits and nerves rages on.”
– Gordon Adjei, High Street Journal