Review: Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ David Harewood leads a powerful cast in a compelling and urgent production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
The year 2025 has offered several remarkable Shakespeare plays in London, including Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre, both personal highlights and among the finest adaptations of the Bard’s work I have seen. As the year ends, there is still time for one final standout—the rarely staged Othello in the West End.
This production, directed by Tom Morris, delves deep into themes of power, rage, and desire. Shakespeare’s intense tale of manipulation, jealousy, and toxic masculinity bursts onto the stage with unprecedented energy and vividness, reflecting the production's own description of itself.
Having never seen Othello performed live before, I approached this play without preconceived comparisons, appreciating it purely on its merits. For audiences familiar with numerous productions, this will add layers of comparison, but for me, it was a fresh experience.
I yearn for innovative and engaging presentations of Shakespeare’s texts that make his work accessible and thrilling, especially to those who may find the language challenging. This staging of Othello met all those expectations, impressing me throughout.
"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."
Summary: This bold production of Othello reinvigorates Shakespeare’s tragedy with a fresh, intense take, making its themes resonate powerfully for today’s audience.