Othello by William Shakespeare
Directed by Dean Paul Gibson
Bard on the Beach
Mainstage at Vanier Park
To September, 25th, 2009.
Vancouver,BC: Of Shakespeare's great tragedies. Othello ranks as number one in my list of faves, just ahead of King Lear. I think it is for me that the play is about an epic battle between two larger than life characters - Iago, arguably Shakespeare's greatest villain, and Othello, the archetype "hero with a fatal flaw." The immense dramatic irony is that Othello, the great warrior General , doesn't even know he is involved in this battle, yet the audience knows that bit by bit he is losing the most important war of his life. As Harold Bloom puts it, it is Othello's tragedy but it is Iago's play. Iago, the master manipulator pulls strings like a puppeteer, weaving a web of deceit that ensnares everyone - including ultimately, himself.
With Bob Frazer as Iago and Michael Blake as Othello, director Gibson has cast two actors who are well matched in both physical stature and commanding stage presence. Naomi Wright is totally convincing as the young Desdemona, glowing with luminous innocence in the love of her heroic husband, fiery in defence of her choice, confused and disbelieving in his rejection of her. Jennifer Lines brings a gentle warmth to Emilia's relationship with Desdemona that magnifies her horror as she realizes her role in the tragedy. With strong performances from the entire cast, the tension throughout the play is electric.
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