Othello is Missing the Tragedy
Tom Morris's production starring David Harewood makes the audience side with the wrong character. Othello is a play about evil: what happens to decent, moral people when pure wickedness enters their lives? The evil must be convincingly portrayed.
Production Highlights
Tom Morris’s staging at the Theatre Royal Haymarket features David Harewood as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago. The set, designed by Ti Green, includes twisting arches suspended above the stage and mesh screens displaying eerie projections representing Othello’s inner thoughts.
The pacing is sharp and fluid, making the nearly three-hour play feel light and engaging. In terms of entertainment, the production is brilliant.
The Portrayal of Evil
However, on the theme of evil, something is lacking. Toby Jones, well-known and beloved for his role in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, delivers a sparkling performance as Iago. His direct asides reveal his cruel plan to destroy lives for pleasure.
His manipulation of Othello, convincing him his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful and driving him to commit a terrible crime, is compelling to watch.
Yet, the production fails to fully capture the depth of Iago's malevolence and the tragedy that should underpin the story.
Author's Summary
Despite captivating performances and stunning design, the production misses the true darkness and tragedy at the heart of Othello.
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