Review: OTHELLO, Ambassador's Theatre
By: Charlie Wilks Oct. 23, 2017
In an exclusive collaboration, National Youth Theatre's Rep Company present Frantic Assembly's award-winning adaptation of Othello. This is the company's first staging of Shakespeare's text since its acclaimed 1995/1996 production starring Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role.
Set in a Yorkshire pub against the backdrop of fractious racial politics, Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett's adaptation feels incredibly relevant. In addition, Simon Pittman's direction has drawn out fantastic performances from these young actors.
The play starts with a bang, opening with a movement sequence executed to perfection. We are introduced to a contemporary world; The Cypress pub is a violent kind of place, playing host to anger, pain, machismo and lust. Members of the ensemble alternately drink, play pool, revel, and fight.
Their commitment and energy is mesmerising. Love, sex, camaraderie and paranoia are all writ large. Becky Smith's sound design tells its own story, as well as working well with the movement.
The familiar story unfolds, revolving around Othello (Mohammed Mansaray), a Moorish general, and his unfaithful lackey, Iago (Jamie Rose). Referenced as "honest Iago", the clever wordsmith plays on the other characters' weaknesses to turn them against one another - convincing Othello of his wife's betrayal.
Rose is superb casting as the manipulator, emerging as his master's puppeteer. Rose delivers the text in a way that pierces like a sword, injecting Othello's mind with poisonous paranoia. His Iago is cunning, but still performed with enough charm to makes him likeable.
The entire company is physically adept, but it's Eddie-Joe Robinson who stands out the most. His character Cassio gets increasingly drunk, and Robinson moves like a rag doll. His body is as light as a feather, whilst at the same time containing the core strength required to perform such impressive lifts and weight exchanges. It's impossible to take your eyes off him.
This is a visceral, thought-provoking and accessible retelling of a great Shakespearean tragedy. The cast contains some of the finest young performers in the UK right now. Othello provokes a reaction - it's impossible to resist.
Othello at the Ambassador's Theatre until 8 December
Photo Credit: Helen Murray
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