Review: Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
David Harewood leads a striking cast in this urgent and riveting production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy. The year 2025 has brought remarkable Shakespeare plays to London, including Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre, both among my personal highlights and some of the finest adaptations I've seen.
As the year ends, Tom Morris’ highly anticipated production of Othello returns to the West End after a long absence. This intense play explores power, rage, desire, manipulation, jealousy, and toxic masculinity, bursting onto the stage with unprecedented energy.
For me, this was the first time witnessing Othello live, so I focused entirely on the strengths of this rendition without comparison. I seek fresh, engaging approaches to Shakespeare’s work that make the text accessible and compelling for all audiences. This production met that goal perfectly, captivating me from beginning to end.
“Shakespeare’s epic story of manipulation, jealousy and toxic masculinity explodes on stage, raging to life like never before.”
This version impressively brings the darker themes to the forefront with dynamic performances and a powerful atmosphere, making the tragedy resonate deeply with modern viewers.
Summary
Tom Morris’ production of Othello at Theatre Royal Haymarket shines as a fresh, gripping interpretation that revitalizes Shakespeare’s tragedy with urgent energy and emotional depth.