Shakespeare, more so than any other playwright, has a talent for transcending time and place in his writing. His characters are so real, they continue to come alive on the modern stage, and allow twenty-first century audiences to see their own world reflected back in a play written 400 years ago. This timelessness of Shakespeare’s work has often resulted in efforts to modernise and contextualise his plays in different ways, and with varying results. This English Touring Theatre production of Othello is an example of how this can be done elegantly: with modern set and costume designs, but preserving the language and tone of the original play to great effect.

Othello is a particularly fascinating parable for our time. Othello is an outsider – a Moor – who works his way up within the Venetian court to gain acceptance by his peers, but this acceptance only goes so far. When Othello falls in love with, and marries Desdemona, daughter of one of the noblemen of the court, he sees the true feelings of many of his ‘friends’ who believe he is not worthy of her because of his background, religion, and the colour of his skin. This is a tale of manipulation and treachery; of racial resentment and deep-seated grudges.

While Othello, played by Victor Oshin, is wonderful, the real star of the show is Paul McEwan as Iago. Iago barely leaves the stage – insinuating himself into every conversation; observing every movement; fanning the flames of Othello’s jealousy, and acting as the puppet master for the entire cast, until at the end, his treachery is revealed. Particularly well-handled in this production is his relationship with his wife Emilia (Kelly Price). Emilia is both aware of his cruel and manipulative nature, and completely in his thrall, and is eventually faced with the choice between her wicked husband and her beloved mistress, Desdemona (Kitty Archer). Emilia and Desdemona interact perfectly – Shakespeare doesn’t have enough women in his plays, but when he does, he writes a good female friendship!

I really enjoyed this play. A long one, at almost three hours, it could perhaps do with an extra interval, but the sharp dialogue and superb acting made it a joy to watch, and the  excitement kept the audience on the edge of our seats throughout.

★★★★☆   @BookingAround at Oxford Playhouse on 21^st September 2018