Review: Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ David Harewood leads a powerful cast in this urgent and captivating rendition of Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
2025 has offered some outstanding Shakespeare performances in London, including Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre, which rank among the finest Bard adaptations I've experienced. As the year ends, one more awaited production arrives: a long-absent Othello on the West End stage.
Tom Morris’ much-anticipated Othello explores themes of power, rage, and desire, bringing Shakespeare’s story of manipulation, jealousy, and toxic masculinity to life with unprecedented intensity. The production describes itself as an explosive and deeply charged experience.
Having never seen any previous staging of Othello, I approached this performance without prior comparisons. While many audience members might draw contrasts with earlier versions, I focused on the play's immediate impact.
For me, it is essential to see fresh, engaging interpretations that make Shakespeare’s language accessible, especially for those who might find it challenging. This production met all expectations and impressed continuously from beginning to end.
"Exploring the darker side of power, rage and desire, Shakespeare’s epic story of manipulation, jealousy and toxic masculinity explodes on stage, raging to life like never before."
This Othello is a compelling and thrilling addition to the theatre season, reinvigorating a timeless tragedy for modern audiences.
Author’s summary: Tom Morris’ Othello delivers a riveting, intense portrayal of Shakespeare’s tragedy, making it accessible and thrilling, led by a striking performance from David Harewood.