Iago

Iago closely follows the plot of Shakespeare’s Othello, re-telling it through the eyes of the eponymous malcontent. Careful lighting and Laura Coates’ excellent sea-like sound design set the tone for a mature take on the classic, and within a few lines of the opening it was clear that this was going to be something of an acting master class. As Iago, Martin Aukland’s voice was clear, crisp and tinged with sarcasm; at once chilling and engaging. His was poised and subtle, and had the audience in the palm of his hand from the offset. As more characters we added, we met a bullish Othello whose thick accent and proud chest were very near the knuckle, showing Iago’s racial hatred bubbling just under the surface. Iago should please aficionados of the bard as well as those who like their acting physical, well-spoken and hard-won.