By Josh Ball
A theatrical release of a 500-year-old stage play feels weird in the modern world of action-packed blockbusters. Yet the newest depiction of “Othello” demonstrates why Shakespeare stands alone at the top of iconic writers of the English language.
Produced by Chris Harper Productions from the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End, “Othello” demonstrates all the benefits of a stage play. The movie version was refreshingly simple. In a world where Hollywood writers are set on adding something, this production let Shakespeare’s genius shine. Modern adaptations like “Romeo + Juliet” often try to add or change content, to the detriment of the Bard’s beautiful writing.
The best part of the filmed production was that it made the play more understandable. Shakespeare can be difficult to read. Watching the play with such good actors made “Othello” much more digestible for the average viewer. It was easier to keep track of the plot, seeing who was talking and the emotions were more evident with trained actors portraying the characters.
Toby Jones played a wonderful Iago. He conveyed the scheming villain with every bit of jealousy in his dialogue. This portrayal, far from being a standalone, set the standard for the show’s performances. David Harewood, as the titular general Othello, embodied Shakespeare’s protagonist perfectly. He showed the full emotional range required for the tormented man torn between the love for his wife and willingness to trust the advice of Iago. Harewood had great chemistry with Caitlin Fitzgerald, who played Othello’s wife, Desdemona, and it made their relationship feel real. This made the tragic ending hurt as much as it should.
What worked best was that the producers left Shakespeare’s words unaltered. In recent years, writers have made movies “based on” countless iconic plays. The problem is that modern writers think they can do them better. What is produced is modern, meaningless fluff like “Anyone But You.” Not that the films are bad, but they inherently take some of the beauty out of the works. Leaving the words alone let the themes and poetry of Shakespeare’s work shine. All the monologues and soliloquies, performed with such skill, made me wrestle with the ideas in a much deeper way.
What makes Shakespeare timeless is his depiction of deeply human ideas and emotions. In “Othello” he deals with the destructive nature of jealousy. He calls it “the green eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” In modern Hollywood, Shakespeare’s themes can get lost in translation. Not so with this production. Iago’s conniving plots are given their full due, while Desdemona’s innocent naivety and pure heart serve as an example to strive for.
It was refreshing to watch something that is unashamed in its depiction of meaningfulness. Major studios are obsessed with sequels and remakes, often critiqued for being “soulless.” “Othello” plunges much deeper. Underneath the plot as Iago manipulated Othello, a mirror was held up to the audience.
Anyone who watched “Othello” and failed to think about what aspects of Desdemona’s character can be applied or how to live out the simple honor of Cassio (Luke Treadaway), missed out on a significant aspect of the production. Put simply, “Othello” is an example of the stories “that really matter.” Part of what makes it, and Shakespeare’s other works, so lasting is that the audience can engage with it in a deep way. When they leave the theater, they are left thinking about the story and its characters. Viewers can see how Othello reflects their own tendencies or how Iago reveals their own imperfections.
The newest production of “Othello” reminds the audience why Shakespeare left an impression that endured centuries. It should also serve as a hallmark for Hollywood writers on how to tell a story that goes deeper than surface-level. The beauty of Shakespeare’s words and the depth of his ideas on heavy themes brought to the modern audience is beautiful, in the fullest sense of the word.
Josh Ball is a junior history major. He has a newfound appreciation for Shakespearean performance.
‘Othello’ is currently playing in select theaters
Images courtesy of Chris Harper Productions and Spiritland Productions
No Replies to "‘Othello’ demonstrates why Shakespeare stands alone"