"Othello" director Gregory Doran, 45, has been hailed by London critics as "the redeemer of the RSC." He joined the company in 1987 as an actor, but soon turned to directing and often works in collaboration with his partner, Antony Sher. Last year he received Britain's top theater honor, an Olivier Award, for his season of "Jacobethan" drama.

Producer Thelma Holt also sat in on the interview, and the two discussed plans to bring RSC productions to Japan -- and export Japanese theater to Britain.

NT: Why did you set your "Othello" in the 1940s/50s?