Matthew d'Ancona's culture: This Othello is a tour de force

Matthew d'Ancona's Culture Review: This Othello Is a Tour de Force

Tom Morris's outstanding production centers on Toby Jones’s extraordinary portrayal of Iago, which stands as the finest performance of the character I have witnessed.

The eminent Shakespearean scholar AC Bradley described Othello as “a being essentially large and grand, towering above his fellows, holding a volume of force which in repose ensures pre-eminence without an effort, and in commotion reminds us rather of the fury of the elements than of the tumult of common human passion.”

This description aptly fits David Harewood in Morris’s remarkable production, revisiting the role he first took on in 1997 at the National Theatre—where, until then, no Black actor had ever portrayed Othello. Harewood’s Othello is a man of immense dignity, a Venetian general with legendary achievements, making his mental collapse deeply moving.

Significantly, Caitlin FitzGerald’s Desdemona challenges the trope of the passive ingénue. Instead, she embodies a woman passionately in love yet openly frustrated as their marriage faces destruction due to deceit and manipulation.

“O, these men, these men!”

The core of the play’s impact remains Toby Jones’s incomparable Iago, delivering the most compelling performance of the role I have ever experienced.

Author’s summary: This Othello redefines the classic through powerful, nuanced performances, highlighting emotional depth and renewed cultural significance.

Would you prefer the summary to be more formal or conversational?

more

The New European The New European — 2025-11-01

More News