Othello Review: high-tech Shakespeare relocated to the Falklands War
10 November 2026 | 19:00 | Derby Theatre (a Northern Stage, HOME Manchester and Citizens Theatre Glasgow co-production)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | PR - Invite
Shakespeare's most universal tragedy Othello has returned to the UK touring stage, in a new co-production coming to Derby Theatre this week. Exploring military and systemic racism, Anthony Almeida's direction relocates the action to a more current setting of the 1980s Falklands War, with a tech-heavy design that preserves its potency today.
Featuring live video design (Erin Guan), the play's themes of jealousy and paranoia are amplified through close-ups of the performers, giving a dystopian impression of state surveillance. Othello secretly marries Desdemona, and they live in bliss. That is until he rejects Iago's wanting for promotion, offering the role of lieutenant to Cassio. An envious Iago vows revenge, staging a false affair between Desdemona and Cassio, in turn unleashing the 'green eyed monster' in his once-close friend Othello.
Said to conventionally critique 16th-century social bias, Othello (Dwane Walcott), a north-African general, is portrayed as a man of great composure and nobility, where Iago (Maanuv Thiara) marks his perfect foil as the villainous 'insider'. In this production, he is played by a British South-Asian actor, marginalising Iago and furthering his motivations as a soldier who is omitted due to his ethnicity. Thiara is a magnificent anchor to Almeida's staging, whose smiling and laddish Iago charms in all the right places, before addressing the audience in cutthroat soliloquies. When the pair standoff, it is like two titans going head to head.
Guan's live videography, as mentioned earlier, has some brilliant highlights. It examines Desdemona's (Phoebe Smyth) purity through Act II, putting her under uncomfortable scrutiny on such a large screen. And during Othello's epileptic seizure, a duplicating effect is applied to invite audiences into his state of intense mental agitation, as it becomes almost trance-like in the way the picture is distorted.
This vision is supported by Natasha Jenkins' design where a giant metallic cage stands, assembled throughout the play. Aesthetically connected to war-time materials, it also bears semblance to a wrestling ring, forming an Orwellian battlefield primed for conflict that traps Desdemona within. Smyth's tragic heroine excels in her naivety through Act I, who later develops into a sincere and compassionate victim of Iago's plot.
Being set in the 1980s, Desdemona and Emilia (Rebecca Banatvala) duet an acapella rendition of Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World, which is initially jarring through a mostly faithful text. But given the women's situation and discussion on women's standards, the feature of this song is unexpectedly poignant.
The majority of Almeida's adaptation stays true to Shakespeare's phrasing, but almost too authentically at times where there is mention of Cyprus and Venice. This temporarily breaks the illusion of its Falklands re-setting, though its impact is minor in the grand scheme of things. Lighting designs and silhouettes by Jack Hathaway impress, though the addition of auditorium-facing lamps that light up to signify an aside/soliloquy are unnecessary. These fourth wall-breaking lines are already acted with clarity, and these lamps prove to be more of a distraction in these moments, rather than a creative asset.
In the event that you want to see a production of Othello with a karaoke, audience sing-along of Dexys Midnight Runners' Come On, Eileen, then you must come to Derby Theatre before November 14th! This absorbing production puts Shakespeare's text at its heart, with supporting characters - including a steadfast and exhilarating Rebecca Banatvala as Emilia - respected and championed. As my first time seeing Othello, this high-stakes tragedy is accessible, and evidently engaging to the school groups in attendance tonight.
Playing at Derby Theatre until November 14th: https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/othello/
Don't miss Derby Theatre's Christmas production of The Railway Children, playing from 27th November 2026 - 2nd January 2027: https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/the-railway-children/
