Othello - Give me Moor!

By Robert Iles - 24th Mar 2004

Cheek by Jowl’s Othello, directed by Declan Donnellan is, quite simply, one of the most enjoyable Shakespeare evenings I’ve had a long, long time. I don’t think I had realised until I saw this production, just how leaden and ungainly the interpretation of Othello normally is. Here we are presented with a light, quick moving, impassioned portrayal of the man of action and war coping with an honest wife, a lying confidante and a jealous rage fuelled out of control.

The staging as simple, a few boxes covered with drapes, some simple stage props and the odd piece of furniture. Enough to give us levels and shapes but still leave the stage free for movement. And the cast of 14 certainly know how to make use of the space. Whether moving individually or in groups, providing static images when not in the action or circling each other like prowling animals the pictures draw us into the dialogue which is mercifully not over-projected or heightened. Indeed, with few exceptions this is a quiet piece building out of Iago’s machinations yet at no time was the audience straining to hear or follow the play.

Jonny Philip’s Iago was utterly convincing, one almost wanted to boo him during the curtain call! Nonso Anozie’s Othello was skilfully controlled and allowed the vulnerability of the character to shine through despite his enormous physical presence on stage. The sheer difference in physical size between Nonso and the diminutive Desdemona (Caroline Martin) was used to great effect and the strangulation was truly heart stopping.

The confidence of the direction was evident throughout the production with characters able to use the full width and depth of the stage carrying dialogue right to the back wall and drawing us inexorably into the space. A space broken down on many occasions as the interplay between the characters took place.

A real ensemble piece providing Shakespeare as it should be seen; accessible, fast, absorbing, moving and pure delight.