The theater is an experience everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime, but it’s understandable that some people can’t. Plays can be very expensive. Plus, now with bots buying tickets, it can be nearly impossible to get tickets for the more popular titles like Hamilton. Thankfully, there’s an answer for this conundrum.
Enter Marquee.TV. This service has given me the chance to see performances that I would have never been able to see otherwise. One of the best plays I’ve seen yet is Othello, which was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Being that the performance is in England, it would have been impossible for me to see it, but I was able to watch the performance in its entirety in high definition. After seeing it, I highly encourage everyone to do the same because it’s such a great show. Why? Let’s get into it.
Performances
A play is only as good as it’s actors and actresses. You can have the best set design, but if your performers can’t emote, you’re left with something people will likely walk out on. Othello isn’t one of those plays—nor should it ever be.
The actors and actresses that performed in this show were astounding, and I can’t give them high enough praise. They’re so talented that it’s easy to feel as though you’re watching the scene unfold in front of you. When an actress sobs, you can feel her pain. When an actor is tormented by his thoughts, you can see the anguish come across so strongly that you’re right there with him.
Othello is one of the hardest plays to do since the characters are so passionate. The entire performance depends on how well the stars can portray their characters’ emotions from sadness to grief, anxiety, anger, and jealousy.
The titular character Othello was portrayed by Hugh Quarshie, who did a spectacular job. It was heart-wrenching to watch his descent into madness at the hands of Iago. When he becomes truly mad, Quarshie is wrecked with anger. So much so that it’s almost scary for the audience because there’s a murderer in their midst.
That being said, the highest praise has to go to Lucian Msamati, who was Iago. Iago is considered one of Shakespeare’s most villainous characters because he’s so conniving. Rather than going for sinister and snake-like, Iago is upbeat and even comedic at times. It’s almost as if he craves acceptance from those around him while hating Othello at the same time. It’s a refreshing take on a character we’ve all seen so many times.
Modernization
Unlike some other Othello performances, I was surprised to see that the play was modernized. Instead of taking place in the 16th century, it’s practically modern day. There are still some similarities like the characters being from Venice, and they speak in Shakespearian dialogue. The relationships between the characters naturally don’t alter from the original play.
That being said, there are some parts where the characters begin to speak in modern English, but the transitions are so smooth that you barely notice. You’re listening to Iago sing in another language, then Cassio suddenly steps up and begins to sing “Mr. Boombastic!”
The scene is hilarious, and you’re drawn more into the play. Afterward, the characters slip right back into the Shakespearian dialogue so easily that you’d think it was their mother tongue.
Setting
Another thing I’d like to mention is the setting. Having never worked on a set, I can’t imagine it’s easy to make the audience think they’re in Venice in one scene and Cyprus the next. The set is designed exceptionally well to the point where you barely notice changes. Still, it feels like you’re in a different area.
The set has a central platform that can raise, lower, and be removed completely. In the beginning of the play, Iago and Roderigo are rowing down one of Venice’s many off-shoots. Then, in the next scene, the front platform is lifted to create a table and a meeting room for the characters to interact with. The whole time, you barely notice the set changes, and that makes you feel as though you’re moving without physically doing so.
Verdict
Overall, Othello was well performed and fantastic, as is expected of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Despite being something we’ve all read and seen several times over (Othello being one of Shakespeare’s more popular plays), this performance brings something new and invigorating to the story. If you see one Othello play, this should be it. The characters are unforgettable and bring light to a new side of Shakespeare that's rarely explored—how detailed and thought-out the characters are.
