Othello

Othello, the General. Othello, the hero. Othello, the husband.

Othello, the Black man.

Shakespeare's iconic tale of racism, jealousy, and betrayal returns to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse for the 2023/34 winter season. Directed by Ola Ince following her success with 2021's Romeo and Juliet, trace a man's downfall into jealous insanity, thanks to his own paranoia, the machinations of his devious right-hand man, Iago and the noxious impact of racism. A story that resonates deeply to this day, Ince will explore the nature of black success and the forces that seek to keep it down.

What is the story?

General. Nobleman. Devoted husband. Othello the war hero of Venice seemingly has it all. Except that he is a Moor, and society is highly suspicious of his race, and "ulterior" motives. Facing insidious racism from all quarters, Othello's only solace is his loving wife Desdemona, who loves him fiercely, and he, her. But when Othello overlooks his ensign Iago for a captaincy in preference for the gallant Cassio, Iago uses their secret marriage to stir Othello's love rival Roderigo to denounce the general to her father, and in the meantime undermining Othello's faith by playing on his most secret fear - that his Moorish background will lose him the love of his life.

As Iago's devious machinations drive Othello further into paranoia about Desdemona's faithfulness, it all comes to a head with tragic consequences for the couple - driven by Othello's own, desperate hand.