Othello
by William Shakespeare
directed by Russell Treyz

Othello deals with love, jealousy, deceit, envy and racism; very contemporary topics, especially for a play which was first performed some 400 years ago.   In this tale, set in the 16th century, Othello is a noble general serving the state of Venice.  He falls in love and elopes with Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator.  Since Othello is older, black and an outsider and Desdemona is younger, white and an aristocratic insider, circumstances are further complicated by racial tensions, as well as assumptions about "proper" marriages in that society.   One of Othello's officers, known as "honest" Iago, is overcome by anger and jealousy.  Soon, Iago initiates a plot to destroy Othello's reputation and marriage.  The play then follows a tragic series of events which ultimately leads to betrayal and multiple murders.

Opens March 31 - April 30, 1995

Quinton Cockrell and Lucy Deakins in Othello

                                                                 Last Updated: 05/06/2007                    Copyright Orlando Shakespeare Theater