Lot 123
123
Laurence Olivier/Othello
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Laurence Olivier/Othello

Details
Laurence Olivier/Othello
A prop helmet with neck guard in the style of a Persian 'turban helmet', the helmet of simulated bronze, the crown decorated with circular motifs above a band of coloured twisted fabric, surmounted with a wooden finial -- height 12¼in. (30.5cm.) -- made for Sir Laurence Olivier as Othello, initially for the National Theatre stage production in 1964 and later for the 1966 B.H.E. Films production of the play, in brown cardboard storage box with paper label inscribed in an unknown hand in black felt pen Sir Laurence "Othello"; accompanied by a black and white still of Olivier as Othello wearing the helmet in a scene from Act 2 with Edward Hardwick as Montano and Derek Jacobi as Cassio -- 8x10in. (20.3x25.4cm.); a VHS video of the film Othello; and related material (a lot)
Provenance
Ex-lot 111, National Theatre Costumes, Phillips, at the Lyttelton Theatre, London, 9th March, 1986
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis
Sale room notice
Research since going to print has revealed that the helmet included in this lot was definitely used in both the stage and film productions. The helmet was acquired at an auction of National Theatre costumes in March 1986, the catalogue for which is included in this lot, and is accompanied by a VHS video of the 1966 film Othello.

Lot Essay

The film version of Othello starring Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith was based on the 1964 National Theatre production of the play staged at the Old Vic. Paperwork in the Archives of the Royal National Theatre (copies of which are included in this lot) show that the theatre costumes were transferred to Shepperton Studios from The Old Vic on 1st October, 1965 for use in the film version.
Olivier was nomiated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, and Maggie Smith for Best Supporting Actress.

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