Othello, The Donmar Warehouse, London

Ewan McGregor (standing) and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the Donmar Warehouse's astounding production of Othello.

Rating: *****/5

Tuesday, 29 January 2008.

Let's face it. Everyone wants to see Ewan McGregor. Some of them will pay hundreds -- even thousands -- of pounds sterling to get through the door. What everyone wants to know is simple. Is it worth it?

Yes. Resoundingly yes.

The plays is one of Shakespeare's finest. It has a simple plot and fewer characters than many of the Bard's more elaborate works. The plot is basically this: Iago, being the megalomaniac that he is, turns the Moor Othello against his wife, Desdemona.

Traditionally Iago is the character receiving the most attention in the play. His maniacal schemes are what keep the audience guessing throughout. And McGregor is certainly fine in the role, showing us his wicked plotting primarily through the twinkle in his eye. 

But it's Chiwetel Ejiofor as Othello that towers over the rest of a very fine cast in giving a most memorable performance. Speaking in a grand African timbre and taking fine physical command of the stage, in the furrow of his brow we read the millions of sorrows he's gathered throughout his life like strung pearls to be retold to his love.

As Desdemona, Kelly Reilly disappoints. She's more wispy than one would want, and outmatched by Michelle Fairely in the role of her servant, Emilia, whose raspy voice commands in a way that Reilly can't. In a fine scene they have together, the intimate stage of the Donmar Warehouse is put to its most effective use. As Emilia disrobes Desdemona, preparing her for bed, Desdemona sings her premonitory willow song to haunting effect.

The production design overall is well done, by Donmar regular Christopher Oram. He's wisely turned the Donmar into a "space" rather than choosing to evoke too much sense of specific place. The wet stones that make up the walls and floor of the playing space dry up throughout the production, leaving us ever more transfixed. And brilliant lighting design pierces at all the right moments, particularly effective shining through decorative windows.

It's nice to see a production where the results match a star's promise. Sure, audiences will go wanting rapturously to catch a glimpse of Ewan McGregor, but, luckily, they'll be met with a production that has a galaxy, rather than just a star, to offer.