THE RSC'S OTHELLO 2024 - STAGE REVIEW

John Douglas Thompson as Othello and Juliet Rylance as Desdemona Othello Royal Shakespeare Theatre 2024 Directed by Tim Carroll Photograph by Rohan Persson

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Partially set in Venice and in Cypress this authentic version of Othello - directed by Tim Carroll is a genius RSC production.

The male contingents of the play are mainly officers or noblemen/religious representatives. The Venetian senator, Brabantio cannot bear the idea of daughter, Desdemona being married to the Moorish general, Othello. Desdemona however, is unphased, as she is completely love struck and impressed by Othello, as he is of her in return.

Roderigo for one is easily manipulated by the jealous villainy of Iago to spoil the love match. Cassio too, is coerced by Iago to behave badly in a drunken state, and, in his desire to gain Othello's good favour back, is blind to Iago's devious ideas of using Desdemona in order to achieve it.

Edward Hogg (Cassio) and Juliet Rylance as Desdemona RSC's Othello 2024 Photograph by Rohan Persson

Iago is snidey and a backstabber, his language is racist and he is riddled with cruel intent, played so darkly and quietly perfect by actor, Will Keen. Fabulous is John Douglas Thompson in the lead role with mellow and deep toned articulation and a dynamic that rises to deliver outbursts of passion and upset.

Will Keen (Iago) and John Douglas Thompson (Othello) RSC's Othello 2024 Photograph by Rohan Persson

Award winning actress, Juliet Rylance makes her RSC debut as Desdemona and is fine and fabulous playing this classical part. Also, what a treat for Anastasia Hille to play Emilia, a Shakespeare character on the common side of life - these parts are always precious - well played!

Anastasia Hille (Emilia) RSC's Othello 2024 Photograph by Rohan Persson

All cast members are so clever and impressive actors; the Capella performances with players standing still on a pared down and monochrome lit stage are out of this world - art personified. Music director James Oxley, set and costumes by designer Judith Bowden and lighting Paule Constable.

Shakespeare's Othello script contains so many glorious words and phrases that formed the best part of English language, and, while some are lost, we are lucky that most remain.

Love does not conquer all in Othello which is why it is one of the greatest Shakespearean tragedies.

Ends

OTHELLO RSC Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended a captioned and chilled performance of Othello at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon, on Thursday 07 November, 2024 at 1.15pm

REFERENCES

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE RSC’S OTHELLO Press Release 28 Aug 2024

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) PRODUCTION IMAGES FOR OTHELLO AT THE RSC RELEASED Production Photography 18 Oct 2024

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Othello Printed Programme 2024