Last Monday, Mississippi State University’s annual Lyceum Series presented the National Players’ production of Othello at Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium.
Othello was the fourth performance in MSU’s annual Lyceum Series, which aims to expose students to art and culture at no monetary expense. Although held on a school night, student seating was almost full to see the adaptation of Shakespeare’s play.
The actors were incredibly talented and did an amazing job of bringing Othello to life. The animosity Iago has for Othello and the jealousy-fueled rage held by Othello towards his dutiful wife Desdemona were almost tangible.
The ignorance possessed by all characters other than the deceitful Iago was angering, yet so believable, as the actors seemed genuinely unbeknownst to the web of lies forming right before them.
The rendition’s dialogue was spoken in the early modern English style, and the simple marble slab and sheer curtains that hung and shrouded around it mirrored the traditional style of theatre.
The play exemplified the dramatic, and sometimes over-exaggerative dialogues and soliloquies that are such standard Shakespearean elements.
Sophomore English major Ella Schalski said she was excited to see one of the pieces she had studied come to life through the National Player’s performance.
“I cannot wait to see what the actor’s do with the play,” Schalski said. “It’s one of my favorites, and I’m so lucky to go to a school where they bring such cool performances to campus for free.”
However, the costumes, music and weaponry were undeniably modern. Most of the male characters dressed in what appeared to be black slim-fit jeans and combat boots, with a matching combat jacket and army boots. Some of the women had similar garb to the men, but others wore dresses with what appeared to be knee-high converse.
During the scene in which Cassio, Roderigo, Iago and others were partaking in drunken antics, the group joined in to sing “Sweet Caroline” and other pieces of modern music. Even car alarm noises could be heard during this scene.
In addition, swords and antiquated weapons of old were exchanged for guns. The final scene in which Othello took his own life, he subdued himself with a handgun, which made for an interesting choice of artistic liberty. The play exhibits themes which still ring true with today.
Regardless of its more modern installments, the play was incredibly well received by those in attendance, as the room erupted with applause at the play’s closing.
Senior MSU student Beka Bisson thoroughly enjoyed the traditional yet modern interpretation of Othello and expressed her belief that the themes are still incredibly relevant.
“The modern rendition allowed us to examine tragedy within the context of our own time and place,” Bisson said. “Though we’re separated by centuries, gender and race conflict with authority in a similar manner. The acting was great, and it was overall very entertaining.”
For more information on future events in the Lyceum Series, visit MSU’s Colvard Student Union website.