AO5 Film Adaptations

What does Adrian Lester (Othello) say about Cassio in Nicholas Hytner’s 2013 production?

‘Sandhurt-educated, upper-class, Oxbridge graduate’

What is the key directorial choice around Iago in Geoffrey Sax’s 2001 production?

Iago (Ben Jago, Christopher Eccleston) breaks the fourth wall a lot, and starts the play narratng the relationship of Desdemona and (John) Othello before announcing his love for Othello.

Iago often treats the camera as another character he needs to direct - telling us when to come on, etc. and it makes us complicit in his cruelty.

How are Iago’s motives presented in the 2013 Nicholas Hytner production?

Iago is presented as highly driven by his motives:

• he seeks solely to bring down Othello, and Cassio is a by-product of this

How does Rory Kinnear (Iago) describe Iago in the 2013 Nicholas Hytner production?

Iago as ‘the agent of destruction’

How does the 2015 Iqbal Khan production present the relationship between Iago and Othello?

Plays a heavy focus on their historic bond and relationship (notably both are black men in the military troop, seem to share a connection over this)

How is Othello presented in the 2015 RSC Iqbal Khan production?

Othello is highly violent and earns little pity from the audience:

• he permits the waterboarding of his troops

  • tortures Iago to get him to cough up details of Desdemona’s infidelity, including strangling him

How is the difference between Cassio and Iago exemplified in Nicholas Hytner’s 2013 production? (3)

• Rory Kinnear (Iago) is seen as much older than Jonathan Bailey (Cassio) - jealousy is not necessarily played on his looks, but on Cassio’s rise to power despite his minimal military experience

• Contrast through education: Iago speaks with a somewhat sloppy and grotty accent, Cassio speaks quite haughtily

  • Contrast through appearance: when not in uniform, Iago wears dark bomber jackets and jeans, whereas Cassio wears suits

What are the directorial choices made when Iago speaks in the 2025 Tom Morris production?

• Sound: Iago’s words are often underscored by suspenseful violins and thundering sound effects

• Visual: flashing lights and smoke starts when Iago finishes his soliloquy

What does Rory Kinnear (Iago) say about military life in the 2013 Nicholas Hytner production?

‘military life is based on loyalty’

What is the principal focus on Nicholas Hytner’s 2013 production?

Rank