Review Round-Up: Othello, Theatre Royal Haymarket
Tom Morris’s production of Shakespeare’s Othello at the Theatre Royal Haymarket features David Harewood, Toby Jones, and Caitlin FitzGerald. Critics offer mixed reactions, highlighting both its strengths and shortcomings.
The Stage
“David Harewood and Toby Jones star in Tom Morris’ overwrought staging.”
The Guardian
“Harewood’s Othello holds your attention with his physical presence and imperial quality, the sniffs, smirks and tics in the lead up to his murderously wounded rage. He is so captivating to the other characters that they are frozen as he tells of meeting Desdemona at the start. He woos them, and us.”
The Independent
“David Harewood reprises the titular role in a starry production that grants more power to the play’s women, but ultimately dulls its edge.”
The Standard
“What we have here is stately West End Shakespeare, well-spoken and measured, directed by Tom Morris and designed by Ti Green in a way that feels curiously adrift from the modern world. The production could have happened in the 1990s, the 1970s, probably the 1950s: even PJ Harvey’s bizarre and sporadic score seems quaint.”
WhatsOnStage
“But the three central performances, all in their different ways, fail to gel. Harewood’s Othello is impressive in stillness; the moments when he is gazing at Desdemona full of wonder hint beautifully at the depth of feeling he contains.”
Critical Overview
The reviews consistently note strong performances from Harewood and Jones but question the coherence and modern resonance of Morris’s interpretation.
Author’s summary: Critics acknowledge powerful acting and visual craft in Othello at Haymarket, but find the production restrained, nostalgic, and emotionally uneven.