Anthony Taufa plays Othello, the Moor, in Melbourne [1]
Monday, June 14, 2010 - 17:15. Updated on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 12:33.
A Tongan drama graduate Anthony Taufa (27) is making a name for himself in Australia as a Shakespearean actor, playing the lead role of Othello, the Moor of Venice in a production by The Kingsmen currently running in Melbourne.
The newspaper 'The Age' reported on June 7 that the 1.9m (6ft 5in) tall Tongan was only 18 when he first played out Othello. He is now playing the leading role in the popular William Shakespeare play for the fourth time at 45 Downstairs in Melbourne from June 8-26.
During his high school years Anthony found drama as his click to standout and by Year 12 he was not only a true drama nerd but became class captain.
In his final year at the Mill Park Secondary College, Anthony won a place at the Australia National University's Youth Shakespeare Globe Festival in Canberra in 2000. He then played Othello in the Melbourne's 2001 Fringe.
Ten years later, Anthony now a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Arts prestigious acting course said he wants to show the world that Pacific islanders are as liberal and complex as any other nationality in Australia.
''I do want vulnerable roles, I do want to be in love, to do romantic leads,'' he said.
The talented actor who is a big Shakespeare fan said he owes his acting career entirely to two people - William Shakespeare himself and his Year-9 drama teacher, Chris Button. "He actually made drama a place of educating yourself as well. It wasn't just about getting up and performing, it was about knowing the world you live in.'
"A lot of Tongan kids didn't get the opportunities I did. I know so many islanders who are natural performers but they are ridiculed and shut down because teachers don't know how to coax that and sway that into creativity being a good thing," said Anthony.
The work, 'Othello, the Moor of Venice' revolves around four central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army; his wife Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio; and his trusted ensign Iago. Because of its varied themes racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal Othello is widely felt to remain relevant to the present day and is often performed.
The character Othello, the Moor, is a dark-skinned, African prince who lives in a European, colour-prejudiced society, where he holds the rank of general in the Venetian military. As a professional soldier he has had little experience with women, but his tales of heroics manage to entice Desdemona to become his wife.