FORM-Idea

I remember reading a quote made by a historian years ago where he stated that if you wanted an informed perspective on contemporary events in society, look no further than the plays of William Shakespeare.   Recently in light of recent events in both the UK the US and their connection with the issue of race I have returned to that quote.  London’s National Theatre’s recent production of Othello acts as a mirror for a racial debate taking place both in the UK and the US right now.  It does this by placing race at the centre of the story, something which strangely in the past as often been largely ignored.  And by doing so it turns a well-known classic into a contemporary, penetrating look at our times.

This production begins even before the play itself starts as we see an actor walk on and literally sweep the stage, while the dates of past Othello productions appear on a screen behind him.  From the recent critically acclaimed Othello starring Adrian Lester on to others from the distant past, they are metaphorically swept away.  Including one, which the director has chosen not to list here, the notorious Lawrence Olivier production, where Olivier appeared in blackface and adapted mannerisms, which would be wholly unacceptable now.

The play itself then begins with an interesting addition in which Othello performs a martial art move in front of an adoring Venetian crowd.  Suggesting from the onset of the play that Othello is very much an outsider whose moves and actions are embraced but only if they are something this society wholly approves of.  We then meet Iago who in this production is played by Paul Hilton and here this character is presented as being pure evil, there is no subtext, no doubting his motivations, it’s simply complete hatred for Othello and everything he represents. Iago presented here is not that far away from those on the far-right who will resist change at all cost.

By making these choices Dyer has created a production of Othello, which is both fresh and vital.   A production which acts as a mirror for our confused time.