THE REVIEWS

The last time I had seen Othello was at Stratford by the RSC staring Donald Sinden. It was many years ago now, and I can remember, despite enjoying Shakespeare that it was dull and boring, and yet Othello is also about the most personal and emotionally intense of Shakespeare’s tragedies. Compared to Macbeth, Hamlet or King Lear, it is more private and domestic. Even Romeo and Juliet, which is as close a comparison as you can get, is of a different style, even though the play is another love tragedy.
Othello has a small cast, the atmosphere is in reality claustrophobic.
The first thing I can remember thinking when I heard about the production from others was it is a contemporary setting. Immediately I felt pleased to know it was, having seen Robert Lindsay as Hamlet at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, in a contemporary setting which worked extremely well for me at the time.
So, how did this production fair?
A stage that was basic, although obviously modern. The way that most Shakespeare was seen was with minimal props, and this was no exception. Sometimes I feel too many props can distract from the cast, a cast in this instance that immediately brought presence to the stage. In no time at all, I was drawn into the story that was being portrayed.
Iago showing almost instantly his rage and disappointment at not being promoted also advances a bewildering number of other reasons for acting as he did. Roderigo is an immediate foil that Iago plays with to ruin the love of Desdemona and Othello. When that fails, he begins to work on the idea that Cassio has slept with Desdemona. Already I knew that Chris Middleton who played Iago was a fantastic person in the role. The play has to be built almost instantly from Iago’s scheming and Chris M managed this extremely well especially considering that Iago has by far one of the biggest roles of any Shakespeare character.
Of course, Mandana was brilliant as Desdemona. Yet she wasn’t the only one that stood out for me during the whole performance. Cassio, played by Daniel Betts was superb, as was Tracey Sweetingburgh who played Emelia. The interaction between Desdemona, Emelia and Cassio was almost breathtaking at times. I felt that Othello was weak at times on the Tuesday night however by the Wednesday he had brought a much more powerful presence to the character. I love the humour that was really shown as well by the cast; too often it is understated in many productions. It helped balance the whole storyline.
A small cast it may be, but when it is brought to the stage so well, the complexity of the story is really brought home to you. You really begin to see the subtle changes that Iago achieves, the jealous anger that Othello feels, and the bewilderment that Desdemona faces as she watches her husband change before her eyes.
Then, suddenly Othello strikes Desdemona. I wasn’t expecting that to happen, and found myself just for the split second stunned by his reaction. That was for me the turning point into what built up into a powerful final scene. Othello’s strength showing ahead of his final killing of Desdemona, his apparent lack of remorse at having struck her, and he then carries on his duties as if nothing were amiss.
Mandana showed all the emotions I would expect as a result of such actions by Othello brilliantly; Confusion and fear being the main ones. Your heart went out to Desdemona, who had no idea why all this was happening to her. She had been nothing less than the dutiful wife.
Before I knew it, the final scene was upon us.
It was about as powerful an ending as I think you could ever get. Desdemona was completely overwhelmed by the power and strength of her husband, and you felt every struggle, every attempt to push him away, yet he was too strong to allow her escape.
It is difficult in today’s society to show such a male chauvinistic world. Yet, I have always wondered whether that really is the underlying power that Iago has on Othello. Only time can consolidate a relationship, build trust and establish familiarity and Othello ad Desdemona were newly wed, still uncertain of each other at that depth. Iago was able to exploit this totally. I wonder, had he tried some six months or a year later would his plot have succeeded?
The production showed sides to Othello as a story I hadn’t thought about before. Made me come away and think about it deeply… it also renewed my interest in the story.
Yes, Mandana was brilliant, yet on her own she wouldn’t have managed to carry the story of Othello. It was testament to the rest of the cast that they also played their parts…. Mmm I feel a Shakespeare quote there ;o)