Old tale of Othello still 'packs a punch'

And, for the first time, an Indigenous actor is playing the lead.

Wayne Blair says it is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding roles he has undertaken.

Eight times a week, he must murder his on-stage wife Desdemona and commits suicide.

"Once you've finished the play, have that shower [you have to] just leave everything in the dressing room, leave everything at the door," he said.

"But sometimes that's easier said than done."

Director Marion Potts says the 400-year-old play, which centres on race relations, still packs a punch today.

"We are dealing with the concept of difference and the concept of what is an outsider," she said.

"I think that particular theme is what underpins this production."

Blair says he drew on his personal experiences with racism for the role.

"I've felt that since I was born, so I've got a few things to pull from," he said.

"It's there with me when I wake up in the morning and when I go to sleep at night so to use it in a type of play like Othello, that's pretty special."

Othello has a five-week season in Sydney.

The production then travels to Orange. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation