Othello is Missing the Tragedy
Tom Morris’s production starring David Harewood invites the audience to sympathize with the wrong character. Othello is a play about evil and what happens to good, moral people when pure wickedness enters their world. It is crucial that the evil portrayed is convincingly malevolent.
Production Highlights
Morris’s staging at the Theatre Royal Haymarket features David Harewood as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago. The set design by Ti Green, with twisting arches suspended above the stage and mesh screens projecting eerie images that reveal Othello’s inner thoughts, creates a mesmerizing atmosphere.
The pace is sharp and well-executed, making the nearly three-hour performance feel light and engaging—often missing in Shakespearean plays. In terms of entertainment, the production shines brilliantly.
Concerns About the Depiction of Evil
However, the portrayal of evil lacks depth. Toby Jones, known nationwide for his beloved role in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, excels as Iago. His direct addresses to the audience, revealing his scheme to destroy lives for sheer malice, are captivating and entertaining.
"The enactment of his puppeteering agenda, making Othello believe his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful and driving him to commit the most terrible crime, is a joy to watch."
Despite this, the essential weight of evil that should drive the tragedy feels diminished in this production.
Summary
While visually stunning and cleverly paced, the production sacrifices the dark core of Othello's tragedy, leaving the malevolence feeling less impactful.
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