Othello is Missing the Tragedy
Tom Morris's production starring David Harewood leads the audience to side with the wrong character in Shakespeare's Othello.
Exploring the Theme of Evil
Othello is fundamentally a play about the nature of evil. It examines what happens to decent, moral people when confronted by an agent of pure wickedness. For the play to work, the evil must feel genuine and compelling.
Production Highlights
Tom Morris’s staging at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, with David Harewood as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago, is impressive in many aspects. The set design by Ti Green features twisting arches suspended above the stage and mesh screens that display eerie projections reflecting Othello’s inner turmoil.
The production’s pace is sharp and smoothly executed, allowing the nearly three-hour play to pass with a rare lightness in Shakespearean drama. From an entertainment perspective, it is brilliantly done.
The Portrayal of Iago
Toby Jones, widely beloved across the country, shines as Iago. His direct addresses to the audience, outlining his plan to destroy others for sheer malice, are both captivating and entertaining.
"His asides to the audience outlining his plan to ruin other people’s lives for the hell of it captivate and delight."
The way he manipulates Othello into believing Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, driving him to commit a terrible crime, remains a captivating element of the play.
What’s Missing?
Despite the production's strengths, the fundamental question of evil feels underdeveloped. The power and depth of wickedness, essential to the play, seem diminished, which weakens the tragic impact.
Author’s summary: This production excels in visual and performance craftsmanship but falls short in fully conveying the profound evil central to Othello’s tragedy.
Would you like the tone to be more formal or conversational?