Royal Shakespeare Company: Othello - (2015) -

To start with I couldn't work out if I liked the fact that there didn't seem to be a specific time setting for this piece, Although by the end I did think that I liked the treatment in general. I might have been happier without the video conference call, and the karaoke was a tad much too.

I also felt that the accompanying music might have been too loud and harsh if I'd been in the actual theatre as well.

I did appreciate the transitions from one scene to the next, which were done well to keep the pace up without overlong set changes and the smooth movement of the cleverly engineered set, with an actual water feature was good too.

My first thoughts as I watched the cast were that Brian Protheroe was very good in his role of Brabantio. He seemed at ease with the Shakespearean dialogue without stretching too hard to remember his lines or projecting too loudly.

As it progressed I grew to appreciate Hugh Quarshie in his titular part of Othello as well, it was clear to see how his countenance changed throughout as a result of Iago's malicious and manipulative whispering in his ear.

Iago (Lucian Msamati) himself was a bit of a fidget. At times it was like he had ants in his pants and wouldn't stand still. He seemed to be the only one of the cast that felt the need to express himself so physically, as well as vocally.

However, while I don't generally like it when the cast address the audience in their monologues and it didn't work for most of them, by the end I did feel that Iago had managed to include the viewers in a way that was apt.

And in fact the story probably should have been called Iago rather than Othello, because the focus really did seem to fall on him mostly and he was the one making the events all happen.

I couldn't help but feel that there were too many other people of colour in the production for Othello himself to stand out as THE "Moor" and I mostly felt that Iago was the worst culprit for this as someone that hated Othello, seemingly for his supposed racial difference. I'm all for diversity, but not at the cost of a point that the story was trying to make or when it blurs things too much. You couldn't have a man playing Elizabeth I, because the issue of her being a woman in power would be lost?

The whole cast actually delivered well, with no one person standing out as poor. Everyone projected their lines clearly and without shouting, which I have often found with these productions.

The female characters were all enjoyable in their roles, but Emilia (Ayesha Dharker) was actually superb. Her accent added to her performance and I wondered if her foreign heritage might also be why her husband, Iago, might have been so cruel to her too. His Afro accent did complicate his character further though.

I don't know why, but I had always thought that 'Othello' was a comedy, so the drama of this was quite a surprise, but it was a good story overall and I enjoyed as much as I could understand with the poetic script being a tad tough to follow at times. Perhaps I might enjoy it even more when I do get around to reading it and I can digest the prose at my own pace, pause and return to it if necessary.

A story of a General of colour fighting for his place in society, whilst his Ensign's evil lies spread mischief and tragedy for the superiors marriage.

720.25/1000.

From the reinvention of Iago to the props, this production has truly done Shakespeare well. I've found that in many iterations of Othello, directors cut the scene where Desdemona and Emilia sing the "Willow" song, which is truly such a cutting blow. This scene is our first real glimpse into the truth that Desdemona is a real person. She is not just Othello's wife, but a woman in her own right. It shows us the bond between Emilia and Desdemona and I am so glad that the director chose to include it. I also thoroughly appreciated Iago's prop cigarettes and other various details scattered throughout the production, such as the reference to Cassio's initial sobriety in the handing off of the champagne glass in Act 1, scene 2. All in all, it was a splendid affair and I truly look forward to rewatching it and further breaking it down.

'Othello', regardless of any criticisms of considered implausibility (such as for some how easily Iago is believed by Othello and how long it takes for Emilia to come forward) and political incorrectness, is nonetheless one of my most fondly regarded Shakespeare plays. Not just the masterful language, with some of Shakespeare's most famous lines that have true intensity and poetic meaning, true of all Shakespeare but 'Othello' is one of the finest examples.

But also the dramatic conflict, both darkly intense and poignant, and one of his most interesting characters in the evil incarnate Iago (Othello too is one of his more complex titular characters). This Royal Shakespeare Company production of 'Othello' is very good, noble and bold, staged and performed with passion, intensity and honesty. It is another example of modern dress being done tastefully and the multi-racial casting (an interest point) was highly effective.

If there was any criticism of what is otherwise, for me, one of Royal Shakespeare Company's best available on DVD productions in the past fifteen years or so, is Cassio's way of fitting in at the camp with very out of place rapping.

Everything else works absolutely beautifully. The production is modern dress but it's handsome modern dress and in good taste. The vaulted set that dominates the stage looks stunning, as do Desdemona's costumes. Again the intimacy of the video directing makes one feel like they are there in the auditorium, if watching it on DVD or on the live cinema transmissions. The music fits the setting well and doesn't feel at odds with the action.

Shakepeare's wide range of emotions and masterful use of language is delivered sincerely and passionately. The stage direction is always compelling, particularly strong in the chemistry between Othello and Iago where Iago's manipulation is very chilling. Some may think that the production doesn't do much to make Othello being so easily manipulated more plausible. Actually thought the emphasis on honesty did help make that just about believable which Iago took advantage of and while some may find Iago too initially jovial early on that he was so easy to trust early helped make his deceit easy to fall for in my view. Also loved the stage direction for Othello, coming over as very honest and reserved yet prone to bouts of gasp-worthy violence.

All the performances are top drawer, with top honours going to a truly malevolent Lucian Msamati, Iago's evil literally drips off him. He has searing chemistry with Hugh Quarshie, who makes for a suitably restrained but still passionate Othello. Joanna Vanderham is a poignant Desdemona. Ayesha Dharker's Emilia is loyal yet shrewd while Jacob Fortune-Lloyd endears as Cassio. James Corrigan is an amusing Rodreigo.

Concluding, great. 9/10