Yesterday I was thinking about killing myself. But weeks ago, I had bought a ticket for Othello at Theatre Royal Haymarket, so today I went.
I was in tears by the end.
The best part of the production was David Harewood’s performance. The first black actor to play Othello at the National Theatre in 1997 (shocking, I know), he now returns to the role when he’s more, er, “declined into the vale of years”, and delivers a great performance. Here is a noble Moor, here is a dignified and strong general, and yet he makes one feel uneasy when he says “My life upon her faith”, and later “Perdition catch my soul/ But I do love thee. And when I love thee not/ Chaos is come again.” He plays Othello with dignity, and with vulnerability. When Iago puts poison in his ear, he cracks, all collapses. His threat to kill Iago and his changed behaviour towards Desdemona are terrifying. But Othello is not a base little man—the nobility is there—one leaves the play feeling pity and sorrow for a noble man ensnared and corrupted by a villain. The play belongs to Othello—to David Harewood.
I’m not sure if I prefer him or Adrian Lester in the role.
I also like Tom Byrne as Roderigo and Vinette Robinson as Emilia. Generally speaking, Tom Morris respects the text—no nonsense, no gimmicks—it’s interesting to see Iago’s wife played by a black actress, which gets you to see Iago in a different light. However, I think Tom Morris makes a few questionable choices. Sometimes he uses a bit too much stage effects, which is distracting, and sometimes the staging is slightly odd, such as when Desdemona (Caitlyn Fitzgerald) is praying and preparing for bed onstage at the same time as Roderigo wounding Cassio and getting killed by Iago. Especially questionable is the removal of Desdemona seemingly returning from death and exonerating Othello—we hear a sound effect instead of Desdemona, and she does not speak—why?
But my main problem with this production is Toby Jones as Iago. I guess you could argue that he approaches the role differently, which is fine, considering that Ian McKellen and Bob Hoskins and Rory Kinnear are very different Iagos and all great. I came across a theatre forum thread in which people were discussing this production and a few of them said Toby Jones played Iago as a weakling, or a little weasel, who’s constantly bewildered that his plans are working. You might think it works, you have to see for yourself. My problem with his performance is that I don’t think he conveys a sense of menace except till the very end, when he says “What you know, you know.”
So do I think this is a great production? No, my favourite is still the one from 2013, with Adrian Lester as Othello and Rory Kinnear as Iago.
Do I think it’s worth watching? Yes, David Harewood is magnificent and the final scene would wreck you.
It is a joy to discover that you have emerged from the slough of despond and are offering your brilliant reflections on art and life to this eager reader. Stay well and cheerful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Richard.
DeleteI'm concerned to hear that you've been feeling this unhappy. But I am glad to see your review - I gobbled it up. On your recommendation I had watched the Adrian Lester/Rory Kinnear production. I enjoyed it very much. But I confess that Othello has never worked for me. It distresses me that he is so easily manipulated, so I have a hard time accepting him even conceptually as noble. It's significant to me, then, that you emphasize the nobility of Harewood's performance. Thank you for the review.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeff.
DeleteDid you read my blog post in which I was arguing that Othello was not about jealousy?
I did read that - I need to read it again though
DeleteOkay.
DeleteLook at this bit I saw from the theatre forum:
"And - OK - this may sound petty - but can casting directors not cast a decent handkerchief? It is really clear in the text - it is embroidered with strawberries - Cassio wants Bianca to "take it out" or copy it - it has to be embroidered for this to make any sense - and it was a precious gift, an "antique token" from an Egyptian charmer. How hard would it be to cast a handkerchief embroidered with strawberries?"
Hahahaha.
Haha - I had a VERY similar thought when I watched the last two productions of Othello! I re-read your post about how Othello is not about jealousy and also Himadri's post that you linked and found it excellent, as always. Somehow I wasn't able to comment on it. The point that it is more about failing to meet an ideal is compelling and must certainly be part of what Othello is about. However, it is a play, and I can't even imagine a production in which jealousy does not seem to be the central point.
ReplyDelete