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Othello
Citizens Company
ARCHIVE
Shakespeare’s great domestic tragedy puts his arch villain Iago under the spotlight. He’ll steal your money, poison your mind, laugh in your face, get you drunk and make you feel like the fool you are – and the worst thing is, you’ll end up thanking him for it.
…and nobody’s safe
…not Othello - he’s in charge, in love and flying high. Surely there’s nothing can bring him down?
…not Desdemona – she knows herself and she knows what she wants - surely nothing can taint her beautiful love for Othello?
Is anyone a match for Iago?
Watch him wind everyone round his little finger as he strives to destroy their little love affairs, derail their petty careers, wreck their personal fortunes and punish their grubby prejudices. He just can’t fail to get his way – can he?
Featuring: Jude Akuwudike as Othello & Andrew Clark as Iago.
Cast also includes: Philip Cairns, Sarah Haworth, Pauline Knowles, Billy Mack, Grant O’rouke, Mairi Phillips, Mark Prendergast and Andrew Scott-Ramsay.
Shakespeare Shortz
Check out our audience participation project, Shakespeare Shortz. You can still submit your own clip, even though the competition has now finished.
Directed by Guy Hollands
Design by Philip Witcomb
Lighting design by Kai Fischer
- 21 Oct 2009 to 14 Nov 2009
- View all dates
- 2009-10-21 7:30 PM 2009-10-22 7:30 PM 2009-10-23 7:30 PM 2009-10-24 7:30 PM 2009-10-27 7:30 PM 2009-10-28 1:30 PM 2009-10-28 7:30 PM 2009-10-29 1:30 PM 2009-10-29 7:30 PM 2009-10-30 7:30 PM 2009-10-31 7:30 PM 2009-11-03 7:30 PM 2009-11-04 7:30 PM 2009-11-05 7:30 PM 2009-11-06 7:30 PM 2009-11-07 2:00 PM 2009-11-07 7:30 PM 2009-11-10 7:30 PM 2009-11-11 7:30 PM 2009-11-12 7:30 PM 2009-11-13 7:30 PM 2009-11-14 7:30 PM
Dates
Main Theatre
Running Time
2hr 55 min approx
User Rating ★★★★★
Rated: (4/5), based on 15 reviews
Preview 21.10.09 and 22.10.09
Audio Described 29.10.09
Signed 05.11.09
Captioned 04.11.09
Wheelchair Access
Guide Dogs welcome
Induction Loop
See photos on Flickr.
Workshops for Schools
28 & 29 October, 11.30am
11 & 12 November, 5pm
Free with ticket to show. More Info.
Supported by St Enoch
With additional support from the Scottish Government New Arts Sponsorship Fund
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ARCHIVE ENTRY. THIS SHOW IS NO LONGER ON SALE.
Comments
George Docherty ★★★★★
26th October 2009
I was lucky enough to see " Othello" on it's opening night and it flew by. The clarity of the story telling, the simplicity of the design and the occasional flashes of humour,were a joy. My friends, who saw it with me were chatting about and analysing the story all the next day. I will be going to see it again later in it's run as I think this show is just going to get better and better. If I can just add that Andrew Clark's Iago was remarkable. The best I've ever seen him. Congrats to all and I look forward to seeing it again. ps I've given it 4 stars, but that's because it was a first night. I fully expect it to be 5 stars next time I see it.
Carol McDonald ★★★★★
27th October 2009
I'm afraid I have to disagree with Jay's comments. I may not have seen the same performance, but the show I watched was anything but amateur. Andy Clark's Iago was chillingly good. He even managed to make us feel complicit in his evil-doing, with some fantastic direct-to-audience moments. Othello had a terrific stage presence and I thought the rest of the actors were very strong. I love seeing Shakespeare and particularly enjoyed this production.
Willie Stewart ★★★★★
28th October 2009
I think we have a right to expect a more professional and imaginative production than this. Andrew Clark conveyed the Iago menace effectively (though he doesn't know when to stay still). But apart from him, the performances were at various levels of amateur drama. The Desdemona casting may have been a bold idea, but to convince dramatically, it would have required the suppression of much of the text - and a much stronger Othello.
Portia ★★★★★
28th October 2009
Andrew Clark's Iago was astounding! The whole performance was in all a well rounded, contemporary performance with a fantastic set. Five stars!
Melissa Zienkiewicz ★★★★★
30th October 2009
I really don't know what to say; Othello (Jude Akuwudike) was just filled with emotion constantly, and kept the audience on the edge of their seat. The second half was especially brilliant, and i feel priviliged to have seen such fine acting by the whole cast. The best shakespeareian production i have ever seen.
Billy ★★★★★
30th October 2009
Excellent thorougly enjoyable. Passionate acting.
Morlie ★★★★★
2nd November 2009
I went with a friend to see this production halfway through its run, and we both were blown away by the world-class quality of the performance. The set and costumes were innovative and effective, alternatively stark and lavish (I have an uncontrollable lust for Othello's black floor-length feathered leather coat!). But the highlight for me was definately Andrew Clarke's Iago, one of if not the best interpretation I have seen, an individual and well-rounded performance that stuck in the mind long after the show was over. Hopefully I'll make it back to enjoy this brilliant production again.
Annie ★★★★★
2nd November 2009
Another brilliant performance from Andy Clark. Terrifying and likeable all rolled into one.
Clare ★★★★★
2nd November 2009
I found Andrew Clark's portrayal of Iago extremely well done especially due to the poor standard of acting shown by the other members of the cast. Othello was far too flowery and a bit Am-Dram in parts. He lacked the silent power that the role requires and Desdemona would have been more apt to working in an ice cream van. Liked the modern dress but felt it would have been more effective had the characters been truely reflected in the content. Felt it was lacking in conviction and Othello missed several lines causing awkward moments.
Mary Bluck ★★★★★
5th November 2009
Overall a very good production and performance. The pace was such that it lacked contrast, not enough light and shade. Othello's lovely speeches needed to be slower.i.e. Why Desdemona loved him, the hankychief and lovely single lines....as the verse was lost. His breakdown into chaos and Iago's manipulation was good. But oh Desdemona! A modern girl but she looked grubby and not the daughter of a noble house. There was not enought contrast between her and Emilia. But thank you for a stimulating night.
Becca ★★★★★
5th November 2009
I saw this performance with my school last night and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Desdemona casting was unusual, but it worked. And Andy Clark as Iago! well, wow is all I can say. The audience couldn't help but fall in love with him, even through all his evil doings. Othello's movement I found rather strange however, with his constant need to squat, and he flubbed lines on occasion, but recovered well. I really enjoyed this production, but my only really negative point was about the swords, it ruins the effect slightly when Othello says "Keep up your bright swords, the dew will rust them" and they seem to be holding up butterknives, I don't know if it was an attempt to make it more modern, but, swords would have been more effective.
Holly ★★★★★
7th November 2009
Saw the 5th November performance and, after a bit of a slow start (Brabantio could speak up a bit, all I could hear were muddled words), I thought it was brilliant. I got really into it, and didn't notice the time passing. Loved Emilia in the final scene, completely mad, but somehow not over the top. Iago was brilliantly acted, and the excellent styling (great hair!) helped to convey the baseness of his reasoning - I got hints of the far right? The scenery was also really well done, hypnotic and frightening. A bargain at £7 for a student ticket.
Jim ★★★★★
8th November 2009
On the whole I enjoyed this production - it moved with good pace, and there were some excellent performances, in particular that of Iago. However, there seemed to be some miscasting. Cassio in particular was totally wrongly conceived and acted - he couldn't stand still, and was just too silly to be credible either as lieutenant or as rival in love. The Duke at the beginning was like a school actor ageing up, and others in small parts were amateurish. Othello did his best, but just didn't have the presence and power to capture the character convincingly. The casting of Desdemona was curious - modern, yes, but inappropriate if you read the play. Costumes worked well, although weapons are always a problem in modern dress productions - would Cypress really be held against the Turks by soldiers with breadknives? The set was excellent, allowing the scenes to roll together fluidly and maintaining the pace, although I'd have liked more imaginative and varied lighting at times - it always seemed to be very bright, in a play where darkness is always waiting. All that said, it was an enjoyable evening, if not one of the Citizens best.
Students at Wallace Hall Academy ★★★★★
25th November 2009
The feedback from the pupils is mixed regarding the quality of the performance of 'Othello' on 12th November. We agreed that we were surprised by the way Desdemona's charcater was portrayed, Iago's act was brilliant. We had a great time, and enjoyed the workshop beforehand.
Leave Your Comments
Jay Cee ★★★★★
23rd October 2009
What an terrible peformance last night! Felt like we were watching a school play it was that amateurish. Lines were either fluffed, inaudible or just plain incomprensible. The Panto season must have begun early at the Citizens. Ham anyone? On the plus side, the set was good and the costumes were pretty funky. Just a shame about the acting.