Othello is Missing the Tragedy
Tom Morris's production, starring David Harewood as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago, invites the audience to sympathize with the wrong character in this classic play. The story centers on what happens when pure evil invades the lives of decent, moral people, making it crucial for the villain's malevolence to be fully convincing.
Theatrical Elements and Performance
The production at the Theatre Royal Haymarket is remarkable in many aspects. The set design by Ti Green features twisting arches suspended above the stage and mesh screens projecting eerie images that visualize Othello’s inner turmoil. The pacing is sharply tuned and smoothly executed, allowing the nearly three-hour play to pass with an unusual lightness for a Shakespearean drama. In terms of entertainment, the show achieves brilliance.
The Portrayal of Iago
Toby Jones shines as Iago, enchanting the audience with his asides that reveal his plan to destroy lives simply for amusement. His manipulation of Othello—convincing him that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful and pushing him toward a dreadful crime—is riveting to watch.
"Jones, a national treasure loved up and down the country for his portrayal as a crusading sub-postmaster in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, sparkles as Iago."
The Missing Element
Despite the strong performances and impressive production, the essential depiction of evil feels incomplete. The play’s core question—what happens when a force of pure wickedness enters a moral world—loses some of its impact because the evil portrayed does not fully convince.
Summary
While visually captivating and expertly acted, this production of Othello lacks the necessary depth in depicting pure evil, altering the play’s tragic power.
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