REVIEW: Othello
- Posted on March 26, 2008 10:30 AM
- 1 comment
Othello
Sturdy Beggars
The Pacific Playhouse
Review by Katie Spain
Before I bombard my keyboard with a review of Sturdy Beggars’ production of Othello, I want to share an observation.
There are two types of people in this world:
1. The type who adores the work of Shakespeare in all its mighty forms.
2. The type who studied it in their youth, hated it, and stubbornly continue to do so.
I’m tempted to add a third slice to the society pie – the type of people who have never come across Shakespeare. The more I think about it, the more absurd it seems. Most people don’t realise it, but our lives are steeped in the playwright’s literary observations. It’s there in advertising, in modern-day movies, in the quotes we use to impress our mates, and in the people we meet. If only Shakespeare could have observed the domestic I had with my boyfriend after leaving the three-hour marathon that was Othello. I’m sure there’d be a play in it.
Lover’s tiffs, unrequited love, the darkness of the human heart, deceit, backstabbing, venomous words and bloody, brutal deaths - Othello has it all. Luckily, our ‘argument’ was a mere discussion about the play at hand. Was it as brilliant as I thought it was or was it as “Boring” as my beau perceived? Whatever the verdict, the cast of Othello shoved their hairy arms down our throats and ripped a reaction out from deep within. Hell, isn’t that what Shakespeare was always about?
Sturdy Beggars are a small group of actors who trained at the Poor School. Their commitment is above all, to the story and in this case, props and stage clutter were discarded in favour of simplicity. It worked… the actors had nothing to hide behind but stellar acting. Although we froze our collective dangly bits off, the dark, chilly environment in the Pacific Playhouse also fit the story like a soldier’s uncomfortable but sturdy pair of boots.
The real mastery occurred when the actors exploded on stage. I don’t know how many hours of practise this lot put in, but the near faultless flow of dialect suggested there hasn’t been much time for sleep lately. While my companion was left behind in Venice, I lapped up the electric on-stage chemistry. Robert Dobson filled the room with his emotive portrayal of Brabantio – a man angered to the core when he discovers his daughter Desdemonda has betrayed him for the love of her Moor husband Othello.
Alex Andreou stood upright and enchanting in his portrayal of Othello. Not even his towering form could hide his gentle eyes and the raging confusion within. We felt his pain and fought the urge to call out when he found himself caught up in Iago’s lies. Roderigo (Chris Hughes) looked like an Indie boy trapped in a Shakesperain play – which just goes to show, for all their faults, some Indie boys sure do dress well. Luckily, the comparison ends there – Hughes evoked pity and frustration with the lengths he went to in the attempt to win over Desdemonda. Toby Spearpoint took the role of Cassio by the horns and although pretty young things Coren Fitzgerald, Sherry Newton and Samantha Joyce paled against the male actors, that was the point.
This brings me to Brendan Jones and his portrayal of the bitter Iago. We all know someone like this evil creature. The type of person who manipulates their ‘friends’ like pawns on a chess board, who lies as easily as they breathe and who feels mercy for no-one. My skin crawled when Jones sat on our row, voicing his actions and bitter plotting. An actor hasn’t given me the chills like that for a long time. Perhaps I was too hasty blaming the venue’s lack of heating; even the best central heating in London isn’t a match for Iago’s frosty soul.
I could name each and every cast member and fill their army boots with praise. Take my word for it, no-one let the team, nor the director down. These guys simple love theatre and it seeps from every pore.
Fight Director Toby Spearpoint deserves a full fisted pat on the back for the shockingly realistic fight scenes. I nearly dropped my red wine when the testosterone-packed lads came to blows. If Shakespeare is ‘for girls’ you can call me Bruce; I’ve seen less convincing battle scenes in Gladiator. Russell Crowe eat your heart out - even my moody lad perked up.
Two intervals later, I cried and he fought sleep. We had to agree to disagree on this one. But full respect and a medal of bravery goes to director V. Lewis and the cast for taking a Shakespearian classic in its raw form and for refusing to dumb it down for the lowest common denominator. Do yourself a favour and don’t think of the time, give no thought to your rumbling stomach and sit back and let it all wash over you – just like you did when you were young. We didn’t understand every word when our parents read us a bedtime story… but the delivery packed a punch all the same. The cast ain’t half bad looking either!
As for our domestic… revenge was had when the lad made me sit through thriller movie ‘The Orphanage’. Give me Sturdy Beggars any day.
Related links:
Sturdy Beggars' official site.
Othello on Seatwave.
The Pacific Playhouse.
Playing for ten nights - from the 20th to the 29th March - 7pm
The Pacific Playhouse, 5-6 Playhouse Court, 62 Southwark Bridge Road, Borough, LONDON SE1 0AT
Comments (1)
Ron Spain
Katie, your review took me back to days of yore (read "youth in the 50's") when the classic works of Mr. Will Shakespeare were not only compulsory reading, but a guide to living.
You saw right through the triviality of todays "don't make me think" society and read into the Bard just what he was trying to tell us. As for the portrayal of Othello by the cast on the night, what can I say except...wish I'd been there in the seat beside you!
Posted on March 27, 2008 10:17 PM
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