Shakespeare 4 Kidz is sending good wishes to Lenny Henry on Red Nose Day 2009.

Lenny, one of the driving forces behind the great charity fund-raiser, is currently tackling his very first Shakespearean role – Othello, which is at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds this week and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough next week.

After his 2 hour 50 minute Othello marathon Lenny will be jumping into a helicopter to fly to London to start hosting Red Nose Day events from about midnight onwards.

Red Nose Day is something he’s an old hand at.

But he’s new to Shakespeare and started off being a bit scared of it, so S4K invited Lenny to see one of its touring shows – Romeo and Juliet or The Tempest.

Sadly he is too busy at the moment but sent us this message:

Although Lenny was really flattered to have been invited to attend one of the performances of Romeo & Juliet or The Tempest, he unfortunately will not be able to attend any of the performances over the next few months due to Othello and other production commitments.

He would however be keen to be kept abreast of future productions (Macbeth, etc), therefore do keep in touch. Lenny has asked me to send his very best wishes to you and Shakespeare 4 Kidz in general.

So S4K would like to say: Good luck with Othello Lenny and here’s hoping Red Nose Day 2009 raises its biggest sum ever with millions of people doing something funny for money.

At Shakespeare 4 Kidz we will be adding our own £250 donation to this brilliant cause.