This production begins with the first line of Act I Scene
iii, “There is no composition in these
news/That gives them credit.” It then adds a brief (and silent) wedding
scene between Othello and Desdemona before going back to Scene i. Othello
(Phillip C. Curry) is significantly older than Desdemona (Melissa Booey) in
this production. Like a few decades older. So there is the interesting (and
unspoken) dynamic that she is perhaps seeking a new father figure, replacing
her father, which could give her actual father, Brabantio, more cause to be
disturbed and upset by this marriage. Of course, Chris Nelson, who plays
Brabantio, seems too young for the role, so that possible direction for
exploration into the relationship is partially lost.
Curry has a strong voice, full of pride, and you get the
sense that it is that very characteristic, his pride, which leads to Othello’s
being misguided by Iago. When Brabantio cries out, “My daughter,” and someone asks if she is dead, and he replies, “Ay, to me,” Othello, standing stage
left, actually laughs. It’s an interesting touch, and it sets him apart even
further. And when Iago goes to fetch Desdemona, Othello delivers his lengthy
speech to the audience, only occasionally addressing the other characters on
stage. In addressing us, he seems to further separate himself from those around
him, as his pride makes him feel he doesn’t need their acceptance or
understanding. He can be threatening too, with a violence bubbling just below
the surface, as when he grabs Iago by the wrist on “Be sure of it!”
It is Iago, however, who dominates the play. Patrick Vest
is excellent as Iago. His costume is dominated by blacks and reds, which might
be obvious for a villain, but which works. His relationship to, and
manipulation of Roderigo is established early and clearly. Roderigo (Dorian
Tayler) is a pitiable character, but you grow to have some sympathy for him,
partly because of Tayler’s remarkable performance. The second time Iago tells
Roderigo to put money in his purse, he actually takes Roderigo’s purse, and
before the third time he tells him, he looks into the purse and is clearly
disappointed by the little he sees inside. It’s a nice touch, and Vest does a
great job with the speech at the end of the scene. Tayler is really good in the
scene where he determines to get his jewels back from Desdemona.
In Act II Scene i, Cassio kisses Emilia on each cheek and
then briefly on the lips, giving fuel to Iago’s own jealousy and suspicions.
And interestingly, when Iago speaks of Cassio touching Desdemona’s hand,
everyone else on stage slows their motions. It’s a strong effect, and what is interesting
is that it puts us more in Iago’s state of mind, in a way aligning us with the
villain, almost making us like him. The effect is used again when Iago speaks
to Roderigo. The two take center stage while the others move to the sides of
the stage and slow their motions. Later, Iago’s stabbing of Roderigo is done in
slow motion.
Bryson Allman does a good job as Cassio, even playing him
drunk fairly well (something that is not all that easy). Othello turns his back
on Cassio on “But never more be officer
of mine.” Melissa Booey is also quite good as Desdemona. She is
particularly great as she speaks to Othello on Cassio’s behalf. And there are a
few nice (and needed) moments of warmth between Othello and Desdemona in that
scene. Also impressive is Olivia Schlueter-Corey as Emilia. The moment where
she picks up the handkerchief is wonderful. Seeing it fall, she automatically
picks it up to give it back to Desdemona as she follows her and Othello out,
but then stops, while facing upstage. Even though she is facing away from us,
we can read her thoughts through her body language, even before she turns to us
to deliver her speech. It’s a really good moment. And then she is playful with
Iago regarding the handkerchief, which is nice. Because otherwise it can be
easy for an audience to turn on her. There are always moments when we can’t
help but wonder why she doesn’t say something about the handkerchief earlier.
Schlueter-Corey really shines in the scene with Desdemona at the end of the
fourth act. She pauses before “But I do
think it is their husbands’ faults,” which is great. And her delivery of “or say they strike us” is pointed, which
again is excellent. This speech is the moment when her character really opens
up, and we’re able to see the real Emilia.
Emilia is with Desdemona at the beginning of Act V Scene
ii, while Desdemona sleeps, a nice touch. She then of course exits before
Othello enters to deliver his famous “It
is the cause” speech. Othello uses Desdemona’s pillow to suffocate her.
Interestingly, when he says he took by the throat the circumcised dog, he grabs
Iago by the throat. But of course the blade is for himself.
There are quite a few cuts in the play. Othello’s herald is cut, as are the
musicians and clown from the beginning of Act III. The Clown is also cut from
the beginning of Act III Scene iv. And there are various other cuts. The company makes good use of the space,
often entering and exiting through the audience. Two microphones at the front
of the stage pick up the actors’ voices, for those toward the back of the audience.
And at times music plays over the speakers during a scene. Ocean sound effects
are played over the speakers during the scene in which they talk about the sea
battle at the beginning of Act II.
Othello was
directed by Stephanie Coltrin. The production includes one twenty-minute intermission,
coming at the end of Act III Scene iii. There are still a few more chances to
catch this show, with performances scheduled for Seal Beach, Manhattan Beach,
Laguna Niguel and San Pedro. Visit the Shakespeare By The Sea website for details.
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