Review: Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
David Harewood delivers a powerful performance leading a compelling cast in this urgent and captivating staging of Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
2025 has showcased several exceptional Shakespeare plays in London, including Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre—some of the finest adaptations of the Bard’s work seen in recent years. As the year ends, one more notable production emerges: Othello, which has been absent from the West End for quite a while.
Tom Morris’ highly anticipated take on Othello explores themes of power, rage, and desire. The play’s dark narrative of manipulation, jealousy, and toxic masculinity is brought vividly to life on stage, described by the production as "raging to life like never before."
“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.”
Not having seen any previous productions of Othello, I approached this one without comparison, focusing solely on its merits. The production succeeded in making Shakespeare’s work exciting and accessible, particularly for audiences who might find the language challenging.
This version of Othello checked every box, impressing me thoroughly from beginning to end.
Author’s summary: This production revitalizes Shakespeare’s tragedy with fresh intensity, making it both accessible and profoundly engaging for modern audiences.