‘Othello’ Review — David Harewood and Toby Jones Deliver Riveting Performances
Tom Morris’s direction of Shakespeare’s Othello brings new vigor to the Theatre Royal Haymarket stage, where performances continue until 17 January 2026. The production showcases a gripping balance between psychological depth and raw emotion.
David Harewood’s Return as Othello
Nearly three decades after becoming the first Black actor to portray Othello at the National Theatre, David Harewood steps back into the role of the Moorish general, undone by Iago’s poisonous deceit. His portrayal captures both the discipline of a seasoned leader and the volatility of a man slipping into obsession.
“Balling and screaming,” Harewood once said of his 1997 performance, describing the youthful fury that once defined his Othello.
In this new rendition, Harewood tempers that fury with maturity. His authority feels earned, though it quickly unravels under Iago’s manipulations, exposing the fragility behind his control.
Toby Jones as the Scheming Iago
As Iago, Toby Jones delivers a performance marked by sly intelligence and understated menace. He and Harewood share a taut, electric chemistry that gives their scenes a dangerously irresistible energy. Their rivalry unfolds like a flawless duel between cunning and credulity.
Production Insight
Under Morris’s supervision, the production’s refined pacing and psychological focus turn Shakespeare’s tragedy into a meditation on trust, pride, and manipulation, avoiding melodrama in favor of unnerving realism.
Author’s Summary
David Harewood and Toby Jones ignite Shakespeare’s Othello with layered performances that explore age, pride, and betrayal in Tom Morris’s sharp, haunting production.