The unlikely sight of Lenny Henry appearing as Othello is the intriguing centrepiece of the Rose Theatre’s recently-announced Spring Season.

With their future guaranteed by their recent funding boost, the Kingston venue has unveiled a far-reaching, forward-thinking slate of entertainment that is likely to have something to appeal to all.

But it is the casting of funnyman Henry in Shakespeare’s classic (April 21-25) that is likely to have tongues wagging.

Director Barrie Rutter, who staged a successful version of Romeo & Juliet at the Rose last year with his company Northern Broadsides, has few qualms about the casting of the much-loved comedian.

Rutter says: “I know the knives might be out at me or Lenny for this but I don’t care.

“This has come about from a genuine desire to do a piece of theatrical work.

“Bloody hell, how long has the Donmar had Hollywood stars going there for £200?

“He’s six foot five.

“He’s beautifully black.

“And he’s Othello.”

Also likely to have the ticket lines ringing is Stephen Unwin’s production of The Winslow Boy (May 7-30), featuring acting heavyweight Timothy West.

Based on a true legal case, and the grounding for both successful stage versions and two movie efforts, it documents a family’s struggle to clear their son’s name of theft at a naval establishment.

Families are likely to flock to a new stage imagining of the classic Charlotte’s Web (March 30 - April 4), while a UK-Australia production of A Convict’s Opera (March 17-28) will see the burgeoning musical comedy return to the stage.

And it is not just drama fans that are being catered for, with comedy once again high on the agenda.

Jo Brand will stop off for her one-woman show (March 22), the Comedy Store will continue it’s monthly residency, and Marcus Brigstocke and Andre Vincent join forces to disect the newspaper business in the show Early Edition (Feb 28) .