Othello

Overview

Director Jesse Peach has wheeled in the heavyweights for this poignant portrayal of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. Douglas Wright’s movement set to Gareth Farr’s composition provides for a new theatrical experience telling Shakespeare as you have never experienced before.

Set in Venice, the Moorish general Othello’s unforseen promotion of Cassio to Lieutenant leaves a jealous Iago to assume a deceitful plan against Othello. Iago falsely leads Othello to believe Desdemona, his wife, has been unfaithful to him, indulging in relations with Cassio. Iago’s plan comes to life and as in any good tragedy, one by one we see the unfolding demise of each character.

With Robbie Magisiva taking title role as tortured Moor Othello, and Matt Minto’s brilliant execution of dishevelled character Iago, these household faces proved comfortable and skilled with the discipline of Shakespearian prose. With an excellent supporting cast, the show holds itself with room for interpretation.

The scenery is sparse, but the set elements used are clever and visually striking leaving the movement to take centre stage. Douglas Wright’s choreography has each character articulating their emotion through an expressive dance piece.

Overall, the performance is captivating and visually stunning, holding all but a dull moment.