Review: Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ David Harewood leads a striking cast in this urgent and riveting production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
London's 2025 theatre scene has offered many standout Shakespeare plays, including Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre, which rank among the best adaptations of the Bard’s work I've seen. As the year ends, one more play returns to the West End after a long absence: Othello.
Tom Morris’ highly anticipated production dives deep into themes of power, rage, and desire. It brings Shakespeare’s epic tale of manipulation, jealousy, and toxic masculinity to life with an intensity described by the production as "raging to life like never before."
Not having seen Othello staged before, I approached this performance without comparisons other than to hope for fresh, engaging interpretations that make Shakespeare accessible for all audiences. This production met and exceeded those hopes, captivating me completely.
"Exploring the darker side of power, rage and desire, Shakespeare’s epic story of manipulation, jealousy and toxic masculinity explodes on stage, raging to life like never before."
This rendition delivers a thrilling experience from beginning to end, successfully fulfilling every expectation.
Author's summary: A powerful and fresh staging of Othello revitalizes Shakespeare’s tragedy with outstanding performances and a gripping, contemporary edge.