I think it was the only production where Othello (Chiwetel Ejiofor) dominated. Actually I think there is sexual confusion when it comes to Iago's character. He's kinda OTT.
Alas, McGregor is pretty flat as Iago. He's good when he's chatting with Othello, but when he's not talking to him, he's not very good. Not plotting enough. Not manipulative enough. It's quite sad. The guy playing Othello is wonderful. Also, Iago's not gay. Bromance.
Very interesting point about the relationships forged between men in battle. Remember that famous scene in Act I where Iago says to Othello, "My Lord, you haven't been this nervous since we fell into that nest of Gundarks!" Oh.... oh wait...
And I'm so glad that ewan agrees that the hatred of sorts stems from love :)...we have this debate every single time we look at the book in my literature class...Read em and weep Ms Sinnet :P
We became used to seeing Ewan playing good guys (even his Renton turns out to be a smart fellow finally) while he is such a talented actor and there is no emotion he couldn't show. Including rage, jealousy, hatred and passion. So I was happy to know he is not a Jedi anymore - but the pure evil! And this role seems to be written especially for Mac - a handsome cover for the ugliest abyss of evil intentions. A very handsome cover. I'm in love, damn it!
I agree about the racism. Iago could have ruined Othello in any number of ways, but he really goes for the jugular when making him believe his Caucasian wife has cuckolded him.
It was a very long time before it occurred to scholars to consider racism as possibly one of Iago's prime motives. A testament, I think, to Shakespeare's remarkable insight, which transcended his own historical moment and looked centuries into the future.
while I didn't get to see this performed, i have listened to the audio version, and McGregor is excellent as Iago, while Ejiofor is a bit bland, though partly due to the role. Branagh is lame; nowhere near as effective as conveying the dark reasoning of Iago.
i agree, but i dont think he could ever match branaghs acting abilities. also just from watching this interview it seems like he doesnt study shakespeare the way branagh does.
I agree - this is a decent analysis of the character, but branagh's ability with shakespeare - and especially branagh's interpretation of Iago and performance of that interpretation - goes beyond what is on display here.
@happydudenator I actually read that Ken Branagh was on the list of candidates to play Kenobi in Phantom Menace... Ironically, I was editing clips of "Hamlet" for my video and as I was fiddling with the "there's a special providence" speech, I thought, "Gosh, he looks like Obi-Wan!"
I heard he was bland as Iago. That's a shame because everyone knows what he's capable of in performance. There are so many different interpretations for the role one could use.
I saw this at the Theatre, it was amazing! Great actors that created a fantastic atmosphere in the really small theatre. I doubt I'll ever see anything better!
This *can* be because Ewan McGregor is a very versatile actor. You can see him as Obi-Wan, but also as the heroin addict Mark Renton, or the unbelievable Edward Bloom in 'Big Fish', and many others.
Thanks for posting this. I'll bet he was a wonderful Iago. It's interesting that Ewan played such a malevolent character when he's usually the one playing the good guy. I would've loved to see it.
Baby Hiddles!
chibizeru 1 week ago
@chibizeru & the reason why I looked for this video ;-)
grumpy9721 5 days ago
@grumpy9721 Me, too. I didn't know they had actually played their parts in the audiobook, which I CAN NOT, FOR THE LIFE OF ME, GET MY HANDS ON.
chibizeru 4 days ago
omg I totally want to see Ewan as Iago.
kukukukukify 2 weeks ago
didnt understand anything Ewan said. i just kept staring and thinking Damn! Ewan is hot!<3
LilyCahill99 3 months ago
I think it was the only production where Othello (Chiwetel Ejiofor) dominated. Actually I think there is sexual confusion when it comes to Iago's character. He's kinda OTT.
xtonicalx 4 months ago
Alas, McGregor is pretty flat as Iago. He's good when he's chatting with Othello, but when he's not talking to him, he's not very good. Not plotting enough. Not manipulative enough. It's quite sad. The guy playing Othello is wonderful. Also, Iago's not gay. Bromance.
AdmiralZiri 4 months ago
I absolutely love you Ewan!!!!! but i think that the character - not you - is sooooo gay. do you agree - others?
MrMacphisto13 5 months ago
APHS BITCHES!!
BULLDOGS476 9 months ago
Very interesting point about the relationships forged between men in battle. Remember that famous scene in Act I where Iago says to Othello, "My Lord, you haven't been this nervous since we fell into that nest of Gundarks!" Oh.... oh wait...
MrBuch169169 1 year ago 6
Great to see actors such as McGregor and David Tennant branching out and focusing on more testing projects such as Shakespeare
Champagneheartbreak 1 year ago
And I'm so glad that ewan agrees that the hatred of sorts stems from love :)...we have this debate every single time we look at the book in my literature class...Read em and weep Ms Sinnet :P
JxL483 1 year ago
Star Wars is still my favorite :)
blueyesparkle1 1 year ago
We became used to seeing Ewan playing good guys (even his Renton turns out to be a smart fellow finally) while he is such a talented actor and there is no emotion he couldn't show. Including rage, jealousy, hatred and passion. So I was happy to know he is not a Jedi anymore - but the pure evil! And this role seems to be written especially for Mac - a handsome cover for the ugliest abyss of evil intentions. A very handsome cover. I'm in love, damn it!
DarthDinulka 1 year ago
I don't think I've ever heard Ewan McGregor's real accent before...
jcnsync1 1 year ago
I agree about the racism. Iago could have ruined Othello in any number of ways, but he really goes for the jugular when making him believe his Caucasian wife has cuckolded him.
It was a very long time before it occurred to scholars to consider racism as possibly one of Iago's prime motives. A testament, I think, to Shakespeare's remarkable insight, which transcended his own historical moment and looked centuries into the future.
EyeLean5280 1 year ago
sorry i wasn't listening Ewan, you're too sexy.
annaisjesus 1 year ago
argghh i wish I could have seen this played by him :( is there anywhere I could hear the audio version of this with Ewan in it?
PamCakes30 1 year ago
while I didn't get to see this performed, i have listened to the audio version, and McGregor is excellent as Iago, while Ejiofor is a bit bland, though partly due to the role. Branagh is lame; nowhere near as effective as conveying the dark reasoning of Iago.
mwilyumr 1 year ago
he looks far too similar to kenneth branagh, who plays the same character in Oliver Parker's film Othello
happydudenator 2 years ago 3
i agree, but i dont think he could ever match branaghs acting abilities. also just from watching this interview it seems like he doesnt study shakespeare the way branagh does.
karadepp3 2 years ago
I agree - this is a decent analysis of the character, but branagh's ability with shakespeare - and especially branagh's interpretation of Iago and performance of that interpretation - goes beyond what is on display here.
mawhar 2 years ago
First time I saw that version I thought "Is that Ewan McGregor?" at first. Haha.
Glanzern 2 years ago
@happydudenator I actually read that Ken Branagh was on the list of candidates to play Kenobi in Phantom Menace... Ironically, I was editing clips of "Hamlet" for my video and as I was fiddling with the "there's a special providence" speech, I thought, "Gosh, he looks like Obi-Wan!"
PrimaViolinist 1 year ago
I heard he was bland as Iago. That's a shame because everyone knows what he's capable of in performance. There are so many different interpretations for the role one could use.
LadyVader33 2 years ago
I heard he wasn't a great Iago, but Chiwetel won the Laurence Olivier Award which is the highest honour for a theatre production in the UK.
DrinkWater22 2 years ago
I saw this play (L)... ewan mcgregor, phwoooar! x
abslou92 2 years ago 2
I saw this at the Theatre, it was amazing! Great actors that created a fantastic atmosphere in the really small theatre. I doubt I'll ever see anything better!
shuv0989 2 years ago
I would love to see him play Iago!
JohnnyBoy2802 2 years ago 15
obiwan is iago?
how can this be?
Bizzer10 3 years ago 2
This *can* be because Ewan McGregor is a very versatile actor. You can see him as Obi-Wan, but also as the heroin addict Mark Renton, or the unbelievable Edward Bloom in 'Big Fish', and many others.
twinPeaksable 2 years ago 21
man, I would have LOVED to see him in this production. I love the story of Othello and I LOVE Ewan. I can only imagine that he is a fabulous Iago!
Voileen 3 years ago 4
Thanks for posting this. I would have loved to have seen this too.
zippyspring 3 years ago
I saw him play Iago, it was incredible. Both Ewan and Chewitel were AMAAAAAZING!
Muckygravy 3 years ago
I wanna rape him
BleckyDownToEarth 3 years ago
Thanks for posting this. I'll bet he was a wonderful Iago. It's interesting that Ewan played such a malevolent character when he's usually the one playing the good guy. I would've loved to see it.
juniorphreak 3 years ago 2