OTHELLO at Seattle's Intiman Theatre

Shakespeare's classic tale of jealousy, envy and revenge has slithered it's way into the Intiman to whisper thoughts of betrayal in your ear.  This production put on by The Theater for a New Audience, direct from their recent sold out run in New York, shows what a solid professional company who really understands the story can do.  They not only succeed in honoring the text but also in telling this story of backstabbing alliances that would put The Players on "Survivor" to shame. 

For those that may not be familiar with the story, and it's one of Shakespeare's simpler one's, here it is.  Othello (a moor) loves Desdemona.  Desdemona loves Othello.  They elope to her Father's dismay.  Roderigo loves Desdemona too.  Iago hates Othello for not making him his Lieutenant.  Cassio, Othello's best friend, is made Othello's Lieutenant.  Iago decides to exact revenge on Othello with the help of Roderigo and Iago's wife, Emilia, by convincing Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful with his best friend Cassio.  "Days of Our Lives" has nothing on these people.

Sean PatRick Thomas, who plays Othello, turns in a singular performance as the man so in love with his wife that the thought of her infidelity drives him over The Edge.  He really allows us to see into the heart of this quite confident man who shouldn't be so easily manipulated, but is by the scheming Iago (played by John Campion).  Campion manages to portray this vile character without ever turning him into the mustache twirling villain.  His is a very subtle and believable performance which only lends itself to the idea that Othello could be taken in by him.  Campion never betrays his inner thoughts.  We never know what he is thinking unless he chooses to tell us. 

But the stand out performances of the evening come from two of the supporting players.  Kate Forbes as Emilia is one of those actresses who completely commands the stage.  So when she is on it, you cannot help but to want to watch her.  And her performance as the conflicted wife and unwitting accomplice is nothing short of mesmerizing.  And then add to that Lucas Hall as Cassio, the pawn used and abused in Iago's cunning plot.  Hall gives as complex and layered a performance as I have seen in quite awhile and truly understands the character and the work.  Furthermore, his delivery of the Shakespearean text is so natural, you often forget he is speaking old English.  He is just telling the story of his character and is a pleasure to watch.

The story of Othello still resonates with audiences today.  Unfortunately we are still not immune to suspicion and misdirection.  This is probably why this play remains one of Shakespeare's most often produced works even 400 years after it was written.  But maybe with productions like this we can learn a little something about how to overcome our own jealousies.  Either that or learn how to plot and scheme in order to get what we want.  Either way, the Intiman and Theater for a New Audience have put together a lovely evening of conniving, chess-like theater for us.  Don't miss it.

Othello runs at the Intiman Theatre and has just been extended through August 9^th.  For tickets or information call the Intiman box office at 206-269-1900 or visit them online at www.intiman.org.