National Theatre Live at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse – Othello

The creative team at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse have recently teamed up with National Theatre Live to bring some of the best British theatre to suburban south Manchester, our reviewer Paul Wilcox went along to check out the offering:

The opportunity to watch the best of London theatre without the expense and general inconvenience of a trip to the South Bank is never one I am going to refuse, and Altrincham Garrick Playhouse have certainly pulled out all the stops to recreate the theatrical experience as closely as possible, judging by last night’s presentation of ‘Othello’. Broadcast in the main 400 seat auditorium, the huge screen allows every detail of the performance to be observed up close and personal with the added advantage that every seat in the house is the best one. Small touches add to the experience; a programme detailing cast and creatives is provided, it’s a short 10-minute walk to the local Metrolink, or if you are driving then onsite parking is both free and plentiful. Add in a comfortable (and reasonably priced) bar for a passionate post show discussion (the coffee from Manchester’s own Spice & Grind is highly recommended) with friendly and knowledgeable staff, and we have all the makings of a partnership that looks set to run successfully for a long time.

Tonight’s production of ‘Othello’ was certainly worth the Saturday evening journey, with Director Clint Dyer placing the traditional theme of race at the centre of the play whilst also exploring the misogynistic themes in an extraordinary last Act, making one question previous assumptions about the nature of the work. The opening scene references the troubled history of the National Theatre’s relationship with the play; images of Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins and Orson Welles in ‘blackface’ makeup, reminding us that it is only in the last couple of decades that this has become unacceptable. Dyer shows us all that Othello is very much a black man in a white world with small gestures, the refusal of his peers to shake his hand and their delight at his eventual downfall, reinforcing the racist construct of the society he inhabits. Less successful is the inclusion of an on-screen audience, ‘The System’ is heavy handed and the choreography is unnecessary and distracting in its execution. Giles Terera engages well as the eponymous Moor with a poetic rendition of the text which is juxtaposed against a more hammily evil Paul Hilton as Iago, the Oswald Mosley moustache and hairstyle giving too much of the air of a pantomime villain for me.

However, the revelatory element of this production of Othello was its exploration of the way in which the female characters are examined. Both Desdemona (Rosy McEwen) and Emilia (Tanya Franks) absolutely central and Dyer demonstrating their fragile place in a world of men, during an extraordinary conclusion that had me rapt with attention. Othello is my favourite Shakespeare and I have seen many excellent versions, but McEwen gave new insight as the bruised and battered Emilia, frightened and scared yet still prepared to sacrifice her life to expose her scheming husband Iago. This ostensibly supporting character pulled the gravity of the play in a direction I have not seen before, her scene with Desdemona (Act 4: Scene 3) should be studied by anyone wishing to understand the nature of domestic abuse of women in society. A truly innovative interpretation that deserves to be seen.

Given the recent news regarding the closure of Oldham Coliseum, it is great to see a local theatre such as The Garrick diversifying its offering in an attempt to bring a wider audience through the doors. We, as creative patrons, have a responsibility to support these initiatives during these straightened financial times if we are not to lose local theatre for good. A number of superb productions will be on offer over the next few months, and I urge you to see them and play a part in supporting the local and national theatre community.

https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/coming-up-at-the-altrincham-garrick/

Reviewer: Paul Wilcox

Reviewed: 25th February 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★