The Moor Of Venice

I went to see a production of "Othello" on Friday night by the Women's Repertory Theater. It ruled. Iago is this wonderful villain you just love to hate.

You may note the name "Women's Repertory Theater". Why yes, since you asked, this was an all-women production. And you know what? That is not the most important fact of the production. The most important fact is that Gayle Feldman-Avery (Iago) was a sheer delight, and Sylvia M'Lafi Thompson (Othello) was a beautiful, tragic figure. Second to that, the staging was minimal, and the dress was modern - 1950's/60's, so Desdemona looked alot like Jackie Kennedy, 'twas aptly played by Jo Glover, who really made it work with her demure and restrained gestures. In retrospect, I am reminded of Gemma Jones in pretty much any period film.

MSusan Niemann as Roderigo, Iago's fool, Gina Alvarado as Cassio (whom I adored), Wendy Waddell (Emilia), Helen Marquardt (Brabantio/Gratiano), Morgan Trent (Bianca), Kim Strassburger (various, including the Duke), and Natalie Sentz (various, Montano) rounded out the players.

A well done show, and after about -- what? 5 minutes? -- you don't notice it's women in all the roles. I mean, a few hundred years ago, some youth whose 'nads hadn't dropped yet would have been playing Desdemona. Turn about's fair play, donchaknow.

And just because it's Shakespeare, don't go running around like a chicken with your head cut off (it makes you look silly). Shakespeare is nothing to be frightened of. You'll get it. The story is a simple one -- Iago decides to destroy Othello and Desdemona. He uses Roderigo, Cassio, and Emilia to do it. There, see? Doesn't it sound like a 2-hour long episode of "Dallas"? Hate, love, death -- don't tell me these are unfamiliar themes. You'll do fine.

"Othello" is playing through July 20, 2002 at Actor's Asylum

6663 El Cajon Blvd [*]
San Diego, CA

Thu, Fri, Sat at 8pm, Sun at 7pm, Monday, July 1 at 8pm, and Saturday July 20 2pm matinee. If you are in the SD area, go see it.

619 282 3277
[*] in the Music Trader shopping complex, http://www.actorsasylum.org/