Review: Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ David Harewood leads a captivating cast in this urgent and powerful production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
The year 2025 has delivered remarkable Shakespeare performances in London, including Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre — both highlights of the Bard’s works for me. As the year ends, Othello returns to the West End after a long absence with Tom Morris' highly anticipated rendition.
Delving into themes of power, rage, and desire, Shakespeare’s intense story of manipulation, jealousy, and toxic masculinity bursts onto the stage with renewed energy, described by the production itself as "raging to life like never before."
Having never seen an Othello production before, I approached this play without comparisons, instead appreciating it as a fresh and thrilling interpretation. The production succeeded in making Shakespeare’s text vivid and accessible to all audience members, including those who might find the language challenging.
In every aspect, this production met my expectations and impressed me from beginning to end.
"Exploring the darker side of power, rage and desire, Shakespeare’s epic story of manipulation, jealousy and toxic masculinity explodes on stage, raging to life like never before."
Author's summary: This production of Othello offers a thrilling, fresh take on Shakespeare’s tragedy, making complex themes accessible and captivating from start to finish.