Leader Weekends: Theatre Review (Othello & Best of Enemies)

Giles Terera in Othello at the National Theatre leads a cast giving landmark performances. Plus, why Best of Enemies at the Noël Coward Theatre had the rare ingredients for five stars.

The Evening Standard’s chief theatre critic Nick Curtis is joined by culture editor Nancy Durrant to discuss this week’s extraordinary treats.

Get ready for the 66th Evening Standard Theatre Awards, which returns after a two-year hiatus as the capital begins its Covid recovery. An exciting roster of winners will be announced on Sunday.

Part 1: Othello at the National Theatre

• Clint Dyer’s production of Othello is the first major version of the play by a black director at the National Theatre.
• Hamilton star Giles Terera is an “extraordinary actor” who shows the “humanity” of Shakespeare’s Moor.
• Why it’s a difficult, moving and complex play to watch but you’ll be glad to have seen it.
• “Particularly stark and harsh” with a “singular focus on Othello’s race”, compared to recent productions.
• Rosy McEwen’s stellar, strong performance as Desdemona displays an “intelligent woman who knows what she wants” and Paul Hilton presents an “almost carnivalesque” interpretation of Iago.
• “Pretty damn close to perfect” but listen to the end to discover Nick’s criteria for awarding that hallowed fifth star.

Part 2: Best of Enemies at the Noël Coward Theatre

• James Graham’s “tighter, richer and deeper” play transferred from the Young Vic traces back our modern adversarial climate of political debate to the 1968 American TV discussions - often explosive exchanges - between right-wing polemicist William F. Buckley Jr. and liberal left commentator Gore Vidal.
• Explores the political bubble and how a news network failed in its bid to “elevate boring” current affairs during presidential candidate debates.
• “Riveting” and “hugely enjoyable to watch”, Homeland and Supergirl star David Harewood continues in his Young Vic role of Buckley, while “excellent” Zachary Quinto is new to the Gore Vidal role, played as “serpentine” and “ghastly”.
• As a black actor, Harewood “wields the pompousness” of white Buckley, sending up the “flag and scotch” Republican.
• Why this is the show to watch this Christmas.

For all the latest visit www.standard.co.uk/culture

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