Othello, Northern Stage, Newcastle (From The Northern Echo)

Othello, Northern Stage, Newcastle

10:27am Thursday 19th February 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

DIRECTOR Kathryn Hunter sets this production of Shakespeare’s tragedy in Fifties’ Italy, for reasons which are not apparent.

There are songs and music performed by the company and principals, which are beautiful, and give some relief from the darkness of the action, and the Cypriot natives’ handkerchief dance provides an opening for the hapless Desdemona to lose the love token Othello gave to her.

Michael Gould injects no humour into the role of Iago and perhaps that’s as it should be, but when the character addresses the audience directly he fails to establish any rapport, and I feel it’s an opportunity missed. Gould’s diction is sometimes unclear, which makes the dialogue hard to follow.

Patrice Naiambana certainly has the physical stage presence for Othello and a melodic singing voice as well, but his jealous rage when Iago convinces him of Desdemona’s faithless behaviour with Cassio does not convey the power of the man, rather resorting to petty belligerence and actually stamping his foot.

Natalia Tena is bewitching as Desdemona, and Tamzin Griffin excellent as her companion Emilia, who is married to Iago and who is eventually killed by him.

There’s an uncomfortable scene in which the soldiers mock Othello, their commander, involving black “minstrel” make-up and a golliwog doll. It’s intended to be bawdy and tasteless and it succeeds, with the audience tittering uncertainly.

It’s a long evening at three and a half hours, and there have been other versions of the play that I have enjoyed more.

■ Until Saturday.

Box Office: 0191-230-5151.

• Print
• Email
• Share