Othello at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Large frames loom over the stage of the Haymarket, casting ominous shadows that interweave across the deep green floor. By name alone, the audience is aware of the tragic events they are about to witness unfold in Othello, which returns to the Theatre Royal Haymarket under the direction of Tom Morris.
Othello is played by David Harewood, who first took on the eponymous character in 1997, and Desdemona is played by Caitlin Fitzgerald. The two start the play with an authentic and endearing chemistry, a necessary precursor to the events of the following acts. Harewood commands the stage with absolute gravitas and entirely embodies Othello’s gradual descent into unrestrained madness. His depravity seems to seep even from his eyes, a powerful testament to Harewood’s stage presence. Vinette Robinson’s delivery of Emilia’s iconic monologue is another highlight and is truly empowering.
The star of the show, however, is Toby Jones, whose performance of Iago is slimy, repulsive, and absolutely masterful. His ability to create comedy throughout the production is unmatched: Jones plays with the nuances of the well-trodden script, painting a vivid picture of Iago as an evil, yet facetious man. In fact, for a play that is often considered one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, the entire performance is peppered with playful comedy. It is the abundance of lighthearted moments, perhaps, that makes the play’s tragic ending feel even more abrasive, the gasps of the audience an acute contrast to the earlier laughter.
The show is at its best when it is stripped back and allows its accomplished cast to shine. The lighting design, by Richard Howell, is genius, enticing and engaging the audience throughout the production. There were times when the projections of Emilia and Desdemona felt slightly hammy, although not enough to distract from the work of the performers. The play has been taken out of the Elizabethan era and set in a more modern (although still slightly atemporal) period. Unlike some other modern adaptations, this staging of Othello still honours Shakespeare’s original text, and the contemporisation does not feel trite.
Tom Morris’s Othello is excellently cast and seamlessly directed, though in its smoothness does not rock the boat as much as it possibly could. The show promises Shakespeare, and delivers exactly that, with comedy and tragedy in equal measures.
Emilia Gould
Photos: Brinkhoff/Mögenburg
Othello is at Theatre Royal Haymarket until 17th January 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS