Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Shakespeare in the Park’s refreshingly straightforward OTHELLO smartly stays out of the Bard’s path

• By drediman
• June 20, 2018
• No Comments

Corey Stoll and Chukwudi Iwuji in Shakespeare’s “Othello” at the Delacorte Theater.

This week, a traditionally-staged Othello opened at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, courtesy of the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park. Cleanly but assertively directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the staging refreshingly and smartly stays out of the play’s path, letting the text speak for itself. Among the Bard’s canon of works, Othello is one of the more astutely-plotted. There’s a driving inevitability to the tragic proceedings that makes watching a good production of Othello an intoxicating experience. And this production is excellent, an effective, high quality experience all around.

In Mr. Santiago-Hudson’s hands, Othello is tight, straightforward, and superbly acted, as led by Chukwudi Iwuji and Corey Stoll as Othello and Iago, respectively. Mr. Iwuji is magnetic in the title role; he navigates the character’s flawed blend of regality and vulnerability with dignity and humanity. His Othello is an authentic and affecting tragic creation. In Iago, Shakespeare has written one of his juiciest villains (alongside Richard III, who is currently being inventively re-envisioned at the Public’s downtown home), and Mr. Stoll has a ball with the character’s unalloyed, sardonic wickedness – maybe too much fun, as he almost runs off  with the show. The women fare just as well. As Desdemona and Emilia, Heather Lind and Alison Wright are just about ideal, particularly Ms. Wright, who turns in a fierce performance as the red flag-waving lady in waiting.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

OTHELLO
Off-Broadway, Play
Free Shakespeare in the Park (The Public Theater) at the Delacorte Theater
2 hours, 50 minutes (with one intermission)
Through June 24