Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Trinity Repertory Company’s newest production of their 54th season is “Othello” by William Shakespeare. This show is about friendship and betrayal, love and jealousy. Once Othello’s most trusted confidante, Iago’s envy-fueled passions unleash a betrayal with catastrophic results for Othello and his beloved bride, Desdemona. Shakespeare’s profound tragedy is an enduring story of race, love, envy, gender inequality and repentance. This stripped-down retelling is the portrait of an unraveling mind amid a society engulfing and destroying its very best.
The tragic tale of jealousy and deceit opens with the villainous Iago plotting against Othello, a Moorish General and teams up with Roderigo who wants Desdemona, for himself. Iago who is an ensign, is also upset because Cassio received the promotion that Iago wanted for himself. Othello secretly marries Desdemona, the daughter of Senator Brabantio, causing scandal. But when Othello explains their love, Brabantio’s anger subsides. Othello then defends Cyprus from an invasion from Turkey and is hailed a hero. This is when Iago plots his revenge by teaming up with Roderigo and secretly plots to plant the seeds of jealousy by implying that his new wife is unfaithful to him and is involved with Cassio. Thereby Iago can destroy all of them in one fell swoop. Director Whitney White infuses new life into this show by setting the action in current day. She infuses the show with the energy and vitality necessary to make it relevant for today’s audiences. Whitney molds her talented cast brilliantly, giving each of them their moment to shine in this show. They are rewarded by a spontaneous standing ovation at the curtain call.
Jude Sandy commands the stage as Othello. His dialogue and monologues crackle with intensity and his diction is perfect. The brilliant quote that makes the audience pay close attention to is “speak of me as I am, of one that loved not wisely, but too well.” The end of Act 1 dialogue between Othello and Iago is riveting as is his killing of Desdemona and his own suicide. Rebecca Gibel is terrific as Desdemona. She stands up for herself against her father at first and then later against Iago’s false accusations against her. She gives the character a backbone to stand up for herself in a man’s world. Rebecca also gives the role the depth it needs in contemporary times. Stephen Thorne is magnificent as Iago, a sociopath who lies with conviction while continuing the pretense of loyalty to Othello while secretly hating him profoundly. He’s cunning and the acts of brutality in the second act are shocking. I am used to seeing Stephen as the hero of Trinity shows like Tom Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath” and Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” but he plays this evil character perfectly, making the audience despise him for his vile behavior.
Angela Brazil is marvelous as Emilia, Desdemona’s loyal lady-in-waiting. She is wise and perceptive and tries to protect Desdemona. Emilia stands up for what she believes in and suspects the worst in her husband, only to have it come tragically true. Her villainy speech is powerful and won applause from the audience. Her death scene is portrayed splendidly, making the audience gasp at the horror of it. Charlie Thurston is terrific as the heroic, Cassio. His drunken scene with his army pals is a stand out moment as is the scene when Roderigo tries to stab him, only to have Iago shoot him in the leg. Mauro Hantman is hilarious as Roderigo, the dense rich man who is madly in love with Desdemona. He follows “the honest” Iago’s instructions on squealing on her marriage to her father, handing over all his wealth to Iago to give Desdemona which of course, never reaches her. Thank goodness he helps lighten the show as does the raucous macho army scene in Act 1. The heartbreaking finale of this show will move you to tears as well as show the more things seem to change the more they seem to stay the same. How people will plot and steal for money and lust isn’t anything new. So for a show that still resonates with contemporary audiences after all these years, be sure to catch “Othello” at Trinity Rep. Maybe contemporary audiences can learn how to behave from learning about mistakes from the past. It is a truly stunning and electrifying theatrical treat that must be savored and enjoyed. Bravo!
OTHELLO (15 February to 18 March)
Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington St, Providence, RI
1(401)351-4242 or www.trinityrep.com
