Law student
Cyril Henriques was a Jamaican student in London during the
interwar period. He graduated in 1931 with a Bachelor of Laws, thereafter
reading for the bar. In 1934 Henriques played Othello in a University College
London Dramatic Society production. The Gleaner reported on a review of the
production written by the drama critic of The Morning Post who wrote under the
headline 'An Indian Othello; Fine Performance by London Students', that 'the
playing of Othello himself by an Indian student, Mr. Cyril Henriques, was
naturally an outstanding adventure. Mr. Henriques - a tall, stalwart, bearded
figure - made a noble Moor, with a more natural air of command than Paul
Robeson. He was not by any means so readily emotional as might have been
expected. Indeed, he might have been quicker and more fiery with advantage. But
when the passion arrived it was there. I have seldom seen the epileptic fit
better done or better prepared for.'
Theatre programme and cast list for Othello, University
College London, 1934.
Sources:
'Jamaican Shines as Othello in Play At University College', The Gleaner, 17 April 1934
Image: Theatre programme advertising a play produced at the University College, London by the University College, London Dramatic Society entitled, OTHELLO. The programme is dated, "Foundation Week, 1934" [Othello played by Cyril Henriques], Special Collections & Archives, University of Kent, reference: UKC-PRG-READ-THE¹û¶³Ó°Ôº.F166337.