Otello

William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello is on stage at the Argentina Theater, directed by Luca De Fusco.

Composed around 1604 under the title Othello, the Moor of Venice, the tragedy can be counted among the masterpieces of Shakespearean theatre and has enjoyed enormous success over the years. The drama's protagonist is Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice, who has been entrusted with commanding the army against the Turks on the island of Cyprus. Othello has married Desdemona, the young daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio, under the veiled accusation of having almost bewitched her. Having received orders to move to Cyprus, threatened by the Turks, Othello appoints the young Cassio as his lieutenant, arousing the resentment of the ensign Iago, who begins to plot his cruel revenge. This revenge takes place in Cyprus, where Othello, succumbing to Iago's insinuations, becomes convinced that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio and, blinded by jealousy, kills her; but shortly thereafter, having discovered her innocence, he takes his own life.

Using Gianni Garrera's translation, the director De Fusco sets Shakespeare's drama within a noir-like universe, paying homage to 1940s cinema. In this enigmatic and ambiguous setting, where Othello's responsibility is counterpointed by Iago's manipulative power, the only certainty is the purity of Desdemona, a true sacrificial victim.

The drama is set against a historical backdrop of strong social impact, during the most racially charged years of the twentieth century, within an imagined colonial South. Luca De Fusco's direction entrusts the show's most important roles to three outstanding performers - Federico Vanni, Luca Lazzareschi, and Mersila Sokoli - who convey extraordinary emotional intensity on stage.

Translated by Gianni Garrera, adapted by Luca De Fusco and Gianni Garrera, directed by Luca De Fusco, music by Ran Bagnocon; with: Alessandro Balletta, Francesco Biscione, Paolo Cresta, Rossella De Martino, Luca Lazzareschi, Gianluca Merolli, Pierluigi Misasi, Sara Putignano, Mersila Sokoli, Federico Vanni.

Photo credits: Tommaso Le Pera