Othello Is Missing the Tragedy
Tom Morris’s production of Shakespeare’s "Othello," staged at the Theatre Royal Haymarket with David Harewood as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago, dazzles with visual invention and flawless pacing but loses touch with the central darkness of the play.
The Vision and Staging
The stage design by Ti Green features twisting arches suspended above and mesh screens projecting the turbulence of Othello’s thoughts. These haunting elements create a hypnotic atmosphere that draws the audience deeply into the psychological space of the story.
Performances and Interpretation
Toby Jones, celebrated nationwide for his work in "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," shines as Iago. His mischievous engagement with the audience—
“outlining his plan to ruin other people’s lives for the hell of it”
—is witty and magnetic. Watching his calculated manipulation, as he convinces Othello that Desdemona has betrayed him, is undeniably thrilling.
The Missing Darkness
Yet at the heart of the play lies a meditation on evil—what happens when pure malice enters a moral world. The performance, while spectacular in craft and entertainment, fails to make that evil feel truly perilous. The audience, instead of recoiling from Iago’s cruelty, finds itself charmed by his cleverness.
Conclusion
This "Othello" captivates as fine theatre but lacks the tragic weight that gives Shakespeare’s work its soul.
Author’s summary: A visually stunning and sharply paced "Othello" that dazzles the eye but diminishes the gravity of its central evil.