Bracknell News
By Lucy Crossley
COMBINING Shakespeare with a live string quartet ensured that a new
production of Othello was on song for the start of it's national tour.
A joint production from Icarus Theatre Collective, Original Theatre
Company and South Hill Park, this version of one of Shakespeare's most
forward-thinking plays was greatly enhanced by it's talented cast
combining their acting skills with playing instruments live on stage.
As well as providing fantastic original music from composer and
South Hill Park chief executive Ron McAllister, the instruments were
used as a great theatrical device - adding intrigue and suspense,
particularly when played by Christopher Dingli as the play's
manipulative villain Iago. Dingli's understated, yet menacing,
performance as Othello's right-hand man who tricks the "noble moor"
into killing his wife Desdemona had the audience hooked throughout
while his musical talent provided another dimension to the amoral
character of Iago.
The instruments also served to give a further sense of "otherness"
to the character of Othello. Already separated from many of the
characters because of the colour of his skin, the fact that Othello -
played Vinta Morgan - was not given an instrument helped ostracise him
further.
Though sometimes harrowing to watch Morgan's extremely powerful
performance was an absolute triumph as the audience was gripped by his
interpretation Othello's tragic descent from a brave and respected
soldier to a jealous and emotionally ravaged murderer.
There were also strong performances from the rest of ensemble cast,
many of whom played more than one character, with Nick Holbek's
Roderigo providing moments of comic relief while Laura Durrant's
sympathetic portrayal of Iago's wife, and unwitting accomplice, Emilia
was a joy to watch.
Credit must also go to the production's costume and set
designers whose adaptable creations provided the perfect backdrop to
the show, allowing the story to effortlessly move from one location to
another and for the actors to switch between the different characters
they were playing easily, yet convincingly
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