Saw Lenny Henry playing Othello in a Northern Broadsides production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. It's been embarrassingly far too long since I've been to the theatre and the lure of a comedy performer in a very different role drew us in.
It was a superb production and, given it was Henry's debut 'serious' acting role, he was very impressive. Northern Broadsides' speciality of drawing out the Shakespearian themes with a driving, forceful and vibrant production continues here and never more has a play written over 400 years ago resonated with modern audiences.
Racism, jealousy, misogyny and paranoia were themes well explored and Henry led from the front vividly depicting a powerful soldier crumbling before our eyes. One minute he's the confident Moor general the next he's a helpless child not knowing where to turn.
Honours for the evening must go to the skilfully acted Iago, played by Conrad Nelson. Iago is the linchpin character in the play and never can he have been played as deceitfully dark with wit and humour as in this production.
The final acts were taut, dramatic and emotionally powerful, delivering in spades. If every there was a fantastic advertisement for the need for high quality regional theatre and the relevance of Shakespeare, then this is it.
