In a devastating exploration of the battle between love and jealousy, Bell Shakespeare presents the psychological drama of Othello in the Fairfax Studio at Arts Centre Melbourne from 14 July 2016, before touring to 25 venues nationally.
The triumphant general Othello returns from battle with the gratitude of the state – and the love of Desdemona – who defies social convention and her father’s will to marry him. Jealousies around their match and Othello’s rise to prominence simmer to the surface, causing destructive rifts in a story that piles secret upon secret, and betrayal upon betrayal.
Othello’s ensign, Iago, harbours a deeply held resentment and the marriage is fatally undermined by the insinuations of a master manipulator. Othello is a saga that probes the human capacity for petty jealousies and revenge while revelling in the sheer wickedness of malicious manipulations.
One of William Shakespeare’s most famous and passionate tragedies, Othello will be directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans, in a gripping production that will touch audiences to their core, as envy is a weapon wielded with brazen savagery, and the complex contradictory nature of humanity is tested.
Starring Ray Chong Nee as Othello (Bell Shakespeare’s The Dream, MTC’s I Call My Brothers) and Yalin Ozucelik as Iago (Bell Shakespeare’s Henry IV, STC’s Cyrano de Bergerac) in one of Shakespeare’s most captivating and implosive pairings. Following its Melbourne season, Othello will tour to 25 venues nationally. For performance dates, visit: www.bellshakespeare.com.au
Director: Peter Evans Featuring: Ray Chong Nee, Yalin Ozucelik, Elizabeth Nabben, James Lugton, Michael Wahr, Edmund Lembke-Hogan, Joanna Downing, Alice Keohavong, Huw McKinnon Designer: Michael Hankin Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson Composer & Sound Designer: Steve Toulmin Assistant Director & Fight Director: Nigel Poulton Voice Coach: Jess Chambers
Othello
Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season: 14 – 23 July 2016 (previews: 12 – 13 July)
Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Following its Melbourne season, Othello will tour to 25 venues nationally. For more information, visit: www.bellshakespeare.com.au for details.
Image: Ray Chong Nee and Yalin Ozucelik feature in Bell Shakespeare’s Othello (supplied)