If you’ve never seen Othello, it’s time you buy a ticket.
This play about ambition and the power of persuasion begins in Venice, Italy, where General Othello’s right-hand man Iago is plotting his demise. Before departing on a court appointed trip to Cyprus, Othello marries the much younger and fair-skinned Desdemona, much to the chagrin of her father.
By the time Othello arrives in Cyprus, Iago’s plan is already in full motion. He carefully sows doubt in Othello’s mind about his marriage to Desdemona, finally making him believe she has been unfaithful to him with his lieutenant Cassio. Othello, sickened with grief and consumed by jealousy, smothers Desdemona to death. The truth is revealed in the final scenes of the play, bringing Iago to justice and Othello to suicide.
It’s commonly acknowledged that even though the play is named after Othello, its true star is the scheming Iago. Persephone Productions’ version is no exception to that rule. Christopher Moore, a dead ringer for Kenneth Branagh, commands the stage as Iago, whether speaking or not. The slightest smirk has the audience enthralled while the flash of his bright blue eyes send shivers down one’s spine.
Throughout the play, Iago is tasked with moving the black blocks that adorn the sparse black stage in preparation for the next scene. This evidences him as the show’s ultimate playmaker, moving each playing piece with precision to destabilize and defeat his opponent.
The other actors perform decently, yet each has moments where their acting appears stiff. Two standouts are Tristant D. Lalla as Othello and Rebecca Croll as Iago’s wife, Emilia. Lalla, with his booming voice and domineering presence is a commanding Othello, but fails in the more emotional scenes, resorting to wiping his face with his hand instead of showing real grief. Croll, who is not given much material to work with in the first few acts, steals the play’s final scenes. Her Emilia transitions smoothly from a meek wife desperate to seek her husband’s approval to a fiery woman with no inhibitions.
Othello plays at the McCord Museum, a small venue seating just over 80 people. Director Gabrielle Soskin makes good use of the location. She has the actors appear alongside the audience, creating a stage without barriers. She also made the right choice in having Phil Demers, a third-year acting student at John Abbott College, choreograph the fight scenes that involved kicks, flips and plenty of sword fighting. The masterful score was composed by James Hugh Keenan Campbell and elicited the play’s unsettling emotions. The only production flaw was the lighting, which at times lacked depth, but largely served its purpose.
Cast member Croll expressed the importance of Persephone Productions performing Othello. “It’s just so rare to find a company that will put on classically staged Shakespeare,” she said.
What is even rarer is finding a company that does a great job of it, and Persephone did just that.
Othello runs at the McCord Museum (690 Sherbrooke St. W.) until Nov. 29. Tickets cost $18 for students. To reach the box office, call (514) 398-7100, ext. 234. There is a special discount performance tonight for $15 only. Visit www.persephoneproductions.org for more information.
