The first offering of the Folger Shakespeare Theatre’s 2011-2012 season is Shakespeare’s “Othello,” a fiery production of Shakespeare’s tale of vanity, jealousy, manipulation, revenge and regret. Directed by Robert Richmond, this “Othello” is set in Venice and Cyprus during the Crusades of the thirteenth century. Its leading character, Othello (Owiso Odera), a general in the Venetian army, is a devout Christian, fighting with Venice against the Turks.
Shakespeare’s original play gets off to a rocket-propelled start, with Othello’s third-in-command, Iago (Ian Merrill Peakes), expressing his anger at Othello in the first scene of Act I, as he explains to the Venetian gentleman Roderigo (Louis Butelli), why he so resents Othello: Iago was passed over for promotion to rank of lieutenant in favor of another, Cassio (Thomas Keegan).
| Onstage |
| ‘Othello’ |
| Where: The Folger Shakespeare Theater, 201 E. Capitol St. SE |
| When: Through December 4 |
| Info: $39 to $65; 202-544-7077; folger.edu |
In this production, Iago’s thoughts are speeded up still further. The first words of the play are Iago’s: “I hate the Moor.” Then Iago reveals his duplicity (“I am not what I am”) and his plan to appear to serve Othello, while hypocritically serving himself.
Peakes is fascinating as this malignant character, whose cynicism is outdone only by his cruelty. Peakes’ devious Iago always seems to be holding something back. As Iago inspires in Othello a mistrust of his loving wife, Desdemona (Janie Brookshire), Peakes suggests a broader jealousy, of Cassio and of Desdemona, which makes Iago seem to be the embodiment of an even deeper viciousness.
Both Othello and Desdemona are very pure characters at the beginning of the play. Odera plays Othello with strength and authority, but also with a sense of innocence. Although he is a valiant soldier, as a good Christian Othello knows nothing of the lying and cheating that motivate Iago. Odera makes that ignorance credible.
Brookshire is excellent as Desdemona, a gentle but passionate young woman, utterly devoted to her husband and unable to believe that he mistrusts her. Keegan rightly portrays Cassio as a straightforward, trustworthy friend to Othello. Karen Peakes plays Emilia, Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s serving woman, with an effective mixture of loyalty to Desdemona and disgust at her husband once she learn that Iago has lied to Othello. Zehra Fazal, who plays Bianca, Cassio’s mistress, creates an exotic atmosphere in Cyprus with her spirited belly-dancing.
Tony Cisek’s set uses richly colored, billowing silk curtains, as well as colorful ottomans and Persian rugs. William Ivey Long’s costumes utilize everything from feathers and leather to Knights Templar crosses to fabricate this Venetian/Cypriot chivalrous world.
Richmond keeps the pace of this “Othello” moving rapidly, restlessly exploring the themes of control and manipulation. With an intelligent eye, he adds unfamiliar details to the familiar structure of “Othello,” imbuing the play with passion and a sense of novelty.
