Directed by Sinead Rushe, Shakespeare’s Othello is re-imagined in Riverside Studio’s production to have three Iagos.
With three actors playing lago (Michael C. Fox, Orlando James, Jeromy Neumark Jones), the soliloquies from the original script become a back and forth conspiratorial plot to take revenge on their General Othello, the Moor of Venice, who they feel has wronged them. The plan is to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful to him.
By the time the innocent sweet Desdemona (played by Rose Riley) attempts to convince her husband of her innocence, her protestations have no sway with him. The lagos have gaslit him to the extent that his jealousy hits such a boiling point that will lead to tragic circumstances.
Director Sinead Rushe justifies this new approach, “… there’s a troubling performance history of the play, whereby a disarming lago establishes complicity with the audience, and comes to eclipse an apparently hapless Othello.” They wanted to break this pattern “by emphasising the implosive arc of lago’s drive for revenge.” Martins Imhangbe gives a powerful and memorable performance as Othello.
The performance is acting centred with a minimalistic stage set and a haunting musical score written and performed by Michael C. Fox.
Othello runs from SUNDAY 8 – SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER 2023 at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London.
