Review: Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ David Harewood leads a compelling cast in this urgent and powerful staging of Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
2025 has featured 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, some of the best Bard adaptations I have seen. As the year comes to an end, one more production arrives after a long absence from the West End: Tom Morris’ highly anticipated Othello.
The play delves into the darker themes of power, rage, and desire. Shakespeare's timeless tale of manipulation, jealousy, and toxic masculinity bursts onto the stage with unprecedented intensity, described by the production as “raging to life like never before.”
Personally, I had not seen a production of Othello before, so I experienced it without the baggage of comparison. While many audience members might compare this with other versions, I could only appreciate this staging on its own terms.
I seek fresh and dynamic ways to present Shakespeare’s work, making it engaging and accessible to those who might find the language challenging. This production fulfilled all these criteria, captivating me from beginning to end.
“Raging to life like never before.”
Author’s summary: This production of Othello masterfully revitalizes Shakespeare’s tragedy, offering a gripping, fresh perspective enlivened by David Harewood’s commanding performance.