Othello

Synopsis

Othello, a Moor, falls in love with Desdemona but is broken by jealousy falsely encouraged. Shakespeare's most human play sets delicacy and power, trust and jealousy, love and hate, good and evil in stark and tragic opposition. Powerless in the face of their own self destructive instincts, the characters are caught on a downward spiral towards inevitable tragedy.

Our Review:

5 December 2007

After the excitement of Ian McKellen’s Royal Shakespeare Company King Lear comes this holiday season’s other hottest theatre ticket – incredibly, another Shakespeare tragedy opening less than a week later. Of course, while the intimate atmosphere of the Donmar provides an exciting canvas for actors, the size of the auditorium (just 250 seats) does mean demand for tickets to hits like this here can reach astronomical proportions - apparently Othello tickets are going for up to £2,000 on ebay.

But let’s focus on the work rather than the ticket economics. And canvas there is the right word as director Michael Grandage and designer Christopher Oram have created something that looks like it could have been painted by Rembrandt. Much of the action takes place in a semi-shade in a world where black, brown and grey dominate – highly appropriate for a play where much of the action takes place at night.

As the manipulator of mu...

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Latest User Review

rds - 9 February 2008:

STUNNING! STUNNING! STUNNING to paraphrase Cassio's "Reputation, reputation, reputation!" - Act II scene III. This superb production will certainly do that for the uniformly excellent cast. It is, however, Chitwetel Ejiofor's magnificent Othello that stands out. I do not think I will see a better performance in my life time. It is up there with the greats. I count myself fortunate in having been able to see it. Brilliantly directed by Michael Grandage with atmospheric designs by Christopher Oram enhanced by Paule Constable's lighting and Adam Cork's music made this a true night to remember! I hope it gets a transfer so that many more than the tiny Donmar can hold get a chance to see this truly amazing production....

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