Three years ago I saw Rory Kinnear as Hamlet. It was the
start of a beautiful, if one-sided, relationship. So when I heard he was
playing Iago in Othello I quickly
became incomprehensible with excitement. Assuming from my reaction that Rory
Kinnear must be a Shakespearian Ryan Gosling my friends were more confused by his
receding hairline than the old fashioned language, but Kinnear does not
disappoint.
Shakespearean actors, more than any others, have the freedom
to interpret their characters. Is Richard
III a malicious and driven villain (Kevin Spacey) or a hurt and bumbling old
man (Mark Rylance)? It is a matter of opinion and, in my opinion, no one does
this more successfully than Kinnear.
Even in the massive auditorium of the Olivier the rest of
the audience disappears as Kinnear draws you into his soliloquies. You, and
only you, are that blessed fly on the wall as he concocts his devilish plans to
destroy Othello. If you can take your eyes of his expressive face for even just
a moment you will see the audience involuntarily leaning closer as he lowers
his voice. Rory Kinnear does not need Lynx.
Now, this is in danger of becoming merely a piece of
irrational fanatical ranting and though the primary reason I went to see
Othello was Rory Kinnear, that is not why I think you should see it too.
Othello is an odd tragedy because other than Iago the
characters are complete idiots. This makes it harder to actually pity Othello
because *spoiler* it is entirely his fault that he kills Desdemona. I mean seriously,
who commits murder because of a lost handkerchief? It’s laughable. Though Othello
is primarily a tragedy it does have its funny moments. Partly in its ridiculous
plot line (I should just clarify that I love Shakespeare but part of that love
is for his bizarre and often extreme imagination) . Tom Robertson as the
lovesick Roderigo was fantastically and very entertainingly pathetic. Every
time he stumps on stage in flowery holiday shirts you can’t help but giggle and
settle deeper into your seat, knowing that, for a moment at least, there’s a
respite from the sheer anger and toxic atmosphere of revenge. Even Adrian
Lester and Kinnear make the most of their more comedic lines; adding innuendos
where I wouldn’t even have thought possible –although “beast with two backs”
leaves little to the imagination.
Despite Iago’s repeated references to Othello in animalistic
terms, Othello’s descent into incoherency and downright lunacy often seems a
bit out of the blue. Especially when compared to his seemingly placid and
irritatingly calm and collected exterior. However, Lester showed Othello’s
almost bi-polar personality even before Iago worked his magic. His temper was
truly formidable.
Olivia Vinall was a great Desdemona. Through isolating
Desdemona as the only non-soldier Director Nicholas Hytner ensures that she
remains vulnerable, but her powerful speeches were full of earnest and passion
rather than being the whining of a needy and petulant lover. Desdemona was for
once a presence on stage and not just a commodity used to create “that
green-eyed monster”.
Hytner (also director of that infamous Hamlet) has outdone
himself with the staging. With scenes set in an office and a men’s bathroom,
elements of this tragedy become all too familiar and you can’t help but think
how easily Iago has achieved this. My favourite was the scene of Othello’s fit.
The men’s bathroom fitted their discussion into the 21st century
world and succeeded in making the whole affair seem more sordid.
It’s hard not to leave Othello feeling worried for mankind;
on super-alert for any Iago-like characters. Hytner’s production leaves you
suitably distraught and yet satisfied Iago will get his comeuppance. In the
case of Rory Kinnear I hope that comeuppance includes the Olivier award, not
just another nomination.
This production is currently being staged in the Olivier
Theatre at the National and tickets are almost sold out online but don’t worry
the National always save a number of £12 tickets for the day. And yes, it would
be better to see it in the stalls but if you’re a broke student like me then
£12 is a better option anyway!
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