Reader Reviews
Othello (Trafalgar Studios (previously the Whitehall), West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Excellent production - wonderful cast that restore the "edge of your seat" aspect to this play. Anthony Sher in particular brings a thoughtful intelligence to the role (adding a sexual component to the racist and jealosy) in the way that few can match. A "must see" production. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.252.192.10) | 11 Jun 04 |
| Whatever the behind the scenes problems the RSC has had, the continued upsurge in quality productions continues with Greg Doran’s latest production of Othello. This is a strong piece and an excellent cast, and the result is a moving experience for the audience. Anthony Sher is undoubtedly one of the greatest living male Shakespearean actors, so the part of Iago is in safe hands. Undoubtedly Sher’s own time in the South African national service provided insight into the petty officiousness of the career soldier who feels that he is below his rank, and his Iago is wholly believable and opportunistic rather than outwardly cunning in the way of, say, Iachimo in Cymbeline. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube makes a powerful physical presence of Othello - a true lion of a man, whose enforced contact with the emotion of relationships is a shock to this man of action. There is a wonderful poetry in his accent that works well with the verse. Lisa Dillon’s Desdemona is also wonderfully played, supporting the promise of this beautiful actress who adds to her known skills a beautiful singing voice too in the haunting rendition of Willow. There is good support too from Mark Lockyer, adding nice comic touches (here I think the WOS reviewer is a little harsh), Justin Avoth and Amanda Harris. As ever with Greg Doran, we get a thoughtful mix of being traditional yet finding new depths and insights. My only criticism, and it is a relatively minor one, is that unusually for Doran, it appears to have been set less for the in-the-round stage of the Swan than for a straight stage. While the set design is innovative and effective, a great many speeches are delivered from the front of the stage meaning that the side seats miss out on a lot of the clarity of the speeches. If some of these were to be delivered from further back, this would help. Perhaps too much has been in mind of the London transfer. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.107.198.22) | 23 Feb 04 |
