Black Henry will make history

A 24-year-old actor is about to make theatrical history by becoming the first black actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company to portray an English king.

Nigerian by extraction, David Oyelowo is to play the title role in Henry VI Parts I, II and III in the RSC's epic staging of all Shakespeare's eight history plays from Richard II to Richard III.

"Hopefully it will pave the way for other actors," Oyelowo said. "The more the barriers come down, the better." He has just started four months of rehearsals leading up to his debut as Henry at the Young Vic next April.