In Ola Ince’s intimate, powerful production, Shakespeare’s study of envy, racism and misogyny is transposed with depressing ease from 16th century Venice to the contemporary Metropolitan Police. If one bold concept weren’t enough, Ken Nwosu’s DCI Othello also wrestles at moments of high emotion with an identically-clad Subconscious Othello (Ira Mandela Siobhan).
Both ideas refresh the play, and both also require awkward workarounds. Fortunately, the show has a steely, relentless pace despite its three-hour running time, and it is acted with depth and conviction by the core cast.
