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Othello
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Marti Maraden
At Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
Call 312-595-5600, tickets $54 - $70
Tuesdays at 7:30 pm
Wednesdays at 1 & 7:30 pm
Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 3 & 8 pm
Sundays at 3 & 7 pm
Running time is 3 hours, 5 minutes with intermission
Through April 6, 2008
Strong cast delivers wrenching Othello
Chicago Shakespeare Theater snagged Marti Maraden from Strafford Shakespeare Festival in Canada to direct Othello, often dubbed The Bard’s most intimate tragedy. Set in 1870’s on Patrick Clark’s elegant set and dressed in Victorian dress (by Christina Poddubiuk), this production has a clarity and force appropriate to the subject matter. Derrick Lee Weeden, as Othello, brings his commanding bass voice, his elegant enunciation and his wide-ranging emotional truth to the role of the tragic Moorish general. Paul Niebanck’s Iago is effectively charming and slyly devious as the vengeful junior officer.
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Othello is a Moor general hired by Venice to protect the city state. Being a Black man and a soldier, Othello finds he is respected yet not quite accepted by the leaders of Venice. He is an honorable man whose military prowess defines him. He secretly marries Desdemona (Allison Batty) and he passes up promoting Iago from ensign to lieutenant. Barbantio (David Darlow), Desdemona’s father learns from Iago that Othello has married his daughter. He wants Othello punished by the Duke (Kurt Ehrmann) but Othello’s oratory, loyalty and Desdemona’s declaration of love wins the Duke over.
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Iago then plots to destroy both Cassio (Sean Fortunato), the officer who Othello promoted over him and Othello himself. Iago is a devious villain whose utter lack of deep motivation makes his evil acts all the more villainous. He is a master of psychological manipulation as his understanding of human nature allows him to plant the seeds of discontent in everyone he needs to hatch his revenge. He uses Roderigo (John Hoogenakker in a bumbling humorous performance) to attack Cassio followed by his master plan to drive Othello into a mad rage against Desdemona as he slowly convinces Othello that she has slept with Cassio. Iago is known for his honesty thus his opinions are taken seriously. His clever use of innuendo, rumor and a well place handkerchief allow his plot to work.
Shakespeare deals with the nature of jealousy, insecurity, racism utilizing trust, isolation and military bravado as well as the lowly status of women to deliver his tragedy. His characters exude passion and intensity of the human spirit that comes across strongly in this production.
The supporting cast contains terrific work from David Darlow, Kurt Ehrmann, Nick Sandys and Lesley Bevan. But Derrick Lee Weeden’s wrenching Othello and Paul Niebanck’s cunning Iago carry the show. Allison Batty’s sensual Desdemona was alluring. The articulation, fast pace and strong acting gave this production a world class feel. Shakespeare doesn’t get much better that this! If you have never seen Othello, this production will make you a believer.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2008
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