Product Description
-------------------
Performed for the first time at Shakespeare's Globe
Theatre, with it's racing concentrated plot and intense dramatic
detail, Othello is one of Shakespeare's most exciting,
atmospheric and heartbreaking plays. This is a tale of
uncontrollable jealousy, deception and murder driven by one of
theatre's greatest villains. Starring Eamonn Walker and Tim
McInnerny and performed at the Globe Theatre, this stage-bound
production captures all the jealousy, deception and murder of
William Shakespeare's classic play.
Review
------
This DVD from Kultur captures a production at the
historic Globe Theatre where all of Shakespeare's plays
originated. Othello is presented in this version on simplistic
terms without a set but with plenty of traditional period
costuming. The Globe is an outdoor venue, and there is little
lighting design required or able to be used. This is as primitive
and elemental as you can get, without any of the flashy technical
arts of the theatre to fall back on. The production hinges on the
performances to keep an audience glued for over three hours.
Luckily, the cast is up to the challenge of performing this
well-known known tragedy, and that is the most compelling reason
to sit down with Kultur's DVD edition, which presents a
previously televised presentation. Eamonn Walker (Duma) has
played the role of Othello a number of times, and his performance
is fiery and competent. The actor brings dignity, grace, and the
perfect energy to make you believe in the Moor's dilemma, which
forces him into a murderous, jealous rage. Character actor Tim
McInnerny (The Black Adder) makes Iago appropriately evil and
maniacal. Zoe Tapper (The Last Van Helsing) is visually stunning
as well as earnest as the doomed Desdemona. The actors make the
verses move quickly, and they all have a nice intense energy that
suits this staging.
It's nice to see Othello performed without any gimmicks or stunt
casting. Theatre fans and Shakespeare aficionados will be
satisfied and pleased with this primal staging at a historic
location. Anyone hoping for spectacle or reinvention won't find
any of that in director Wilson Milam's traditional
interpretation. You can see the audience reacting to the
production thanks to the three-quarter thrust nature of the
Globe's stage, and you feel as if you are in Stratford right
along with the ticket buyers. Othello contains a strong cast
performing a classic tragedy, and for those reasons, it's a fine
DVD to connect with the Bard's work --DVD Verdict, Judge Brett
Cullum
Kultur is dedicated to bringing great performances of
international opera, ballet, and theater to DVD and only a churl
would ask them to ever cease doing just that. I will always
remember with great affection the countless hours of pleasure
they have given not only me, but so many of my friends and
acquaintances as well. Anyone seeking a bit of culture in their
living room as a from nothing but movies embraces Kultur's
passion. If one doesn't hold a special place in his or her heart
for this vast display of artistic achievement, then one should.
--Harvey Perr, Stage and Cinema
Recorded for television on 4 May 2007 at the live production from
The Globe, this particular production of Othello translates well
to its DVD format with crisp, warm color and camera angles that
capture stage action and reaction along with appropriately timed
close-ups.
While Eamonn Walker's portrayal of Othello is mesmerizing, Tim
McInnerny's Iago is the maliciously merry ringleader of the
production's antics. Innerny s Iago impresses the point that the
villain of the piece is as equally important to the play as its
title character, a sharp contrast to Walker's Othello. Both
actors take command of the stage when they re on it,
complimenting one another's characterization greatly.
Innerny (best known for his role in television s Black Adder)
seems to relish Iago's interaction with the audience, casting
sneering glances and smirking at those in attendance as he lets
them in on his dastardly plots and schemes. He makes
Shakespeare's soulless rtunist loathsomely likeable,
particularly in his scenes manipulating the foolish Roderigo (Sam
Crane, who plays the role with a foppish flair). When Iago tells
Roderigo to 'put money in thy purse', his speech manages to
combine comedy with a malicious underlying intent. Similarly,
he's a hoot when mocking Cassio (Nick Barber)'s vaguely
narcissistic mannerisms. Innerny's Iago revels in his
remorselessness, making it clear to the audience that he sees
nothing wrong with affecting the lives of others to twist the
situation to his advantage.
On the flipside, Eamonn Walker delivers no less of an outstanding
performance as Othello. The Globe Theatre production of Othello
isn't the first time Walker has stepped into the role, having
played a modernized version of the character in an ITV1 film.
Walker's Othello is both regal and physically imposing. The
actor's ra voice lends itself to the Moor's initially calm and
eloquent manner, holding his ground with dignity, genuine
emotion, and grace in the face of Brabantio (John Stahl)'s rage.
Although it's a small part, Stahl's characterization of
Desdemona's her is memorable. Transforming the character from
its typical interpretation as a sad, old man into an outraged if
not double-standard bearing racist her at odds with his
daughter.
Brabantio, and others, seem to lead the charge in the process of
dehumanizing Othello, finding it hard to believe him capable of
kindness. Walker's interaction as Othello with Zoë Tapper's
stellar portrayal of a strong, yet sweet natured Desdemona as a
pair of blissful newlyweds proves this otherwise, the actors
showcasing believable tenderness in their scenes together.
Milam's interpretation of Othello, although more than relevant to
the unspoken racial tensions of the present day, manages to pull
off an authentic replication of 16th century Venice and Cypress
with costuming that while not terribly elaborate, is no less
beautiful and true to the period. His direction makes use of the
massive pillars of the Globe theatre's stage set up to punctuate
the dialogue. A sparse catalogue of props: a table, two benches,
one stool, and one bed adequately keeps the focus on the top
notch acting of the cast. An effort of pure passion by the
director and cast, during the readings, various quartos and
folios were used to create this interpretation seen here. Each
cast member enjoyed different readings and rallied to get theirs
incorporated into the final interpretation seen here.
--Pop-Matters.com
