Oh my God! I've looked everywhere to find a video about this version of Othello. Zoë playing Desdemona was just amazing as well as Eamon Walker. Thank you for uploading it!
I'm playing othello in our competition piece and i use this to bring my confidence down. lol i always mess up at the "huge eclipse of sun and moon" part :( tough to remember...
I said the monologue in this scene, which is Othello's part.....and it was hard because I was a girl but I did pretty good, but my interpretation was totally different. I love Shakespeare and he is my idol so I love almost everything he has ever written......except for Romeo and Juliet.
And don't feel awkward that you're a girl reading a guys speech, in my production (I'm Desdemona) my Othello is played by a girl (the character is still a guy, it's just a girl playing him), and she does fantastic! Don't let gender define what character you play; I'm sure you did great with the speech :)
I do the Young Shakespeare Players too! We just started Othello, and I got Desdemona in my cast (which is a dream come true, she's the role I've wanted to play my whole life).
there's a problem though: I have a terrible fear of death by smothering. Had nightmares about it before. We're setting up an extra rehearsal for the Desi's and Othellos to get used to it, and I'll be able to pull through, but it's gonna be a really scary experience for me :/
But actually, AlanHitler, I have to disagree with some of the things you were saying. Just because a person doesn't agree with the way it was played doesn't mean they say shakespeare was wrong. I have a different interpretation of Dessy, that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
the program I do does the Bard as close as possible to original days. We have an empty stage (with two levels and a balcony), limited props, and as much understanding as possible. Look up the Young Shakespeare Players :)
Eh. An annoying thing with the Desdemona was she got TOO conversational at times, and when it was still found she was alive, she was thrashing too much. If she was on the brink of death she wouldn't be that strong. The Othello got wooden at times. But the smothering part was incredibly powerful. Just reading the scene is powerful.
@TheaterForLife2013 I mean, in my Shakespeare youth theater group, our homeschool actors did uncut (like all of our plays) performances of Othello (non homeschoolers get a chance to do it in the fall; I want Desdemona :D), and we're incredibly serious about it. Some of the Dessy's couldn't get out of character from the death scene (panic attacks, nightmares, etc) for days, so the director actually had to get them out of it through hypnosis. Really scary for them
Pretty good, though I feel like Eamon Walker used the same tone of voice for all his lines. And the staging doesn't make much sense - wouldn't Emilia have heard Desdemona's racket?
This really helps me with my coursework. I am thinking of acting this scene.... I'm not sure if there are any other scenes I could do with Desdemona in it. Any suggestions, other than this scene?
its refreshing to see desdemona act hysterical before her death, there are so many productions that tone her reaction down too much, it becomes unrealistic.
I saw this production (not this particular night, however). I found it , at best, adequately acted- except for Cassio , who was quite believable.
I was standing next to two ladies in their 80s, and when it was over, one asked me if I enjoyed it. The other looked me straight in the eye and said, "Of course he didn't- it was rubbish!"
It can be better, but that looks excellent. I remember having the reenact this in high school and the teacher had us to add bits we think would make it better to the play (not lines, actions) for bonus points. We agreed that after his furious yell of "Peace! Be Still!", while Desdemona is composing herself, he should drink water/wine from a cup. When she says "What is the matter", he gets angry again, and throws the halfway-full cup on the floor. So much potential! You can do so much in this!
I've never thought of Zoe Tapper as a bloke before!!!
The acting style is how it would have been in Elizabethan theatre, which is the point of the Globe. Naturalism comes a little later than the 16th/17th Century.
@AlanHilter Don't be rude. We use the original acting conventions in my theatre as well, but I wouldn't do it like that. We use even more, if you want to go that far - we use minimal props, minimal set, and use the words to tell the story. Just because someone doesn't like a portrayal doesn't mean the acting conventions are what they dislike - they dislike how these actors used their skills to put across the emotions. Don't get huffy - you aren't the final word on Shakespeare's conventions.
@fingirl87 I wouldn't agree with that. Honestly I think this is played out stronger that the Othello I watched at the theatre. I'm not sure what you're trying to say.. are you an better actress/actor than these? Sure thing...
Anyways, the strong acting here is way better that the "post-modern"/post-minimaltic way of the play I saw, so compared - this would be a piece of cold while the other coal.
This is how it would have been in Elizabethan times fool, Othello and Desdemona werent real people..your just contridicting what your saying... in the Film the 'blokes' that played them were just pretending to be them to..thats what actors do.. jesus christ
Check your history. White actors have played Othello in "black face" for centuries. Some of the most famous actors to play him on the screen were white. Lawrence Olivier and Orson Wells.
She's just so damn good. She was even good in "Demons". Only thing that was mind you. I reckon that she would be rather good as the new "Dr.Who" girl.
@AlanHilter OMG how come i have never thought of that! That would be brilliant! They already had Christina Cole as a guest star, they should get Zoe. and i can see her as a companion... and she's close to matt smith's age, that would be super awesome! as long as they wouldn't make her have a crush on him... Rose was enough for me, plus i loved rose!
Hmmmm. Well both Eamon Walker (Othello) and Tim McInnerry (Iago) are British. McInnerry is probably most famous for his performances as Lord Percy and Captain Darling in Blackadder. He's bloody brilliant, however, in "Edge of Darkness" which is a series that must be seen to be believed!
No, that's right, but she should be. Don't forget if you fall into the trap of "why does Iago hate Othello?" "Because he's a racist", you're missing the important point: Iago suspects Othello has had sex with his wife. This is why he hates him, the notion that like has attracted like, Othello has slept with her because she is also black. The notion that it's racism is, I'm afraid, a rather lazy one.
Iago also suspects Cassio has been sleeping with his wife. Iago suffers from a strong sense of displacement. I think its origin is most likely from his being passed over by Othello. War being everything to Iago, Othello is everything to Iago. Once 'spurned' by his deity Iago seeks to produce the same feelings in Othello, killing his faith in Desdemona. Or so I see it.
No, if you read the play Iago wants to kill Othello for taking his job. And thus he has to kill Cassio and Othello cuz they are above him. Iago's wife is portrayed as a whore herself, but never black. Iago tricks Othello into thinking that Cassio slept with Desdemona, thus he wants to kill her for cheating on him.
Actually Othello appoints Cassio to be his lieutenant, and appoints him instead of Iago. Cassio is mainly a scholar and a fop, but Iago's proved himself in battle. Also, there are rumors about Othello cheating with Emilia, Iago's wife. But Iago himself says that there is no particular reason for his hatred of the moor.
It's racism...bc the myth that black men have this mysterious sexual prowess, big schlongs & are just out to get "our women" have made white men paranoid for centuries. it's been the cause of many unwarranted deaths by noose. "Even now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe (desdemona)." eeek! get your torches and pitchforks, men!
But Iago doesn't really care about Emilia. He's just jealous bc the moor has a higher rank than him & a beautiful, upperclass wife & he hates that Othello promoted Cassio and not him.
Oh my God! I've looked everywhere to find a video about this version of Othello. Zoë playing Desdemona was just amazing as well as Eamon Walker. Thank you for uploading it!
Daffyharker 1 month ago
I'm playing othello in our competition piece and i use this to bring my confidence down. lol i always mess up at the "huge eclipse of sun and moon" part :( tough to remember...
shanjoyislegend35 2 months ago
His voice makes me a little sleepy. It's smooth and pleasant, even with the emotion added in.
NekoKunChanSan 5 months ago
when was this performed?
24morgy 5 months ago
he looks good but his voice and talent are greatly lacking here, he has no NOBILITY or sense of being royal. he plays this weak
etrax2000 5 months ago
hi,.. i love this drama.
how can i get see all? from act 1 - act 5.
can you upload it? please!!!!!!!!
SuperRituel 7 months ago
I prefer Olivier's Venusian 'green' Othello.
retread01 10 months ago
where can i watch this entire production online. i cant seem to find it any where can someone help me???
jalwind 11 months ago
Here's a story of a brotha by the name of Othello
He liked white women and he liked...green jello.
HalloweenHotDog 1 year ago 2
I said the monologue in this scene, which is Othello's part.....and it was hard because I was a girl but I did pretty good, but my interpretation was totally different. I love Shakespeare and he is my idol so I love almost everything he has ever written......except for Romeo and Juliet.
SoutherngurlNC24 1 year ago
@SoutherngurlNC24 This is such a beautiful speech, I agree :)
And don't feel awkward that you're a girl reading a guys speech, in my production (I'm Desdemona) my Othello is played by a girl (the character is still a guy, it's just a girl playing him), and she does fantastic! Don't let gender define what character you play; I'm sure you did great with the speech :)
PaintedMaypole26 1 year ago
Simply marvelous! Very good actors in this one! X
Poppy0109 1 year ago
simply breathtaking.
connorbrabyn 1 year ago
We just finished watching this in my english Lit class, I actually liked it!
fruitloop008 1 year ago
this is good but its hard for any performance of this scene to match up to the one at the ending of stage beauty..... sooo intense!!!!!!!
pearlearring17 1 year ago
super.--sucks!!!
mnickelson21 1 year ago
i love this great job on othello!!! It has givin me a few tips on my school project were i play othello!
staceyyah22 1 year ago
@staceyyah22 it helped me too xD project in drama and we didnt even know anything about the play and we got stuck with the dramatic scene
oliviaroxz15 1 year ago
I do the Young Shakespeare Players too! We just started Othello, and I got Desdemona in my cast (which is a dream come true, she's the role I've wanted to play my whole life).
there's a problem though: I have a terrible fear of death by smothering. Had nightmares about it before. We're setting up an extra rehearsal for the Desi's and Othellos to get used to it, and I'll be able to pull through, but it's gonna be a really scary experience for me :/
PaintedMaypole26 1 year ago
These people are amazing. I am trying to remember 18 lines for my english work, but unlike them, it is just so difficult for me!
pandykc 1 year ago
But actually, AlanHitler, I have to disagree with some of the things you were saying. Just because a person doesn't agree with the way it was played doesn't mean they say shakespeare was wrong. I have a different interpretation of Dessy, that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
the program I do does the Bard as close as possible to original days. We have an empty stage (with two levels and a balcony), limited props, and as much understanding as possible. Look up the Young Shakespeare Players :)
TheaterForLife2013 1 year ago
Eh. An annoying thing with the Desdemona was she got TOO conversational at times, and when it was still found she was alive, she was thrashing too much. If she was on the brink of death she wouldn't be that strong. The Othello got wooden at times. But the smothering part was incredibly powerful. Just reading the scene is powerful.
TheaterForLife2013 1 year ago
@TheaterForLife2013 I mean, in my Shakespeare youth theater group, our homeschool actors did uncut (like all of our plays) performances of Othello (non homeschoolers get a chance to do it in the fall; I want Desdemona :D), and we're incredibly serious about it. Some of the Dessy's couldn't get out of character from the death scene (panic attacks, nightmares, etc) for days, so the director actually had to get them out of it through hypnosis. Really scary for them
TheaterForLife2013 1 year ago
That Desdemona bugged me. Everyone else was pretty darn good.
operaticxingenue 1 year ago
Pretty good, though I feel like Eamon Walker used the same tone of voice for all his lines. And the staging doesn't make much sense - wouldn't Emilia have heard Desdemona's racket?
rebeccatrishel 1 year ago
Desdemona is just BRILLIANT !!!
I find Othello a tad wooden...
Powerful scene, thanks for posting
verdaita 1 year ago
i adore othello. this is absolutely perfect.
shannonmariex0x 1 year ago
I put my volume on full blast and I still can't hear what Othello is saying :(
CertainAsTheSun 1 year ago
This really helps me with my coursework. I am thinking of acting this scene.... I'm not sure if there are any other scenes I could do with Desdemona in it. Any suggestions, other than this scene?
MissHappyAllTheTime 1 year ago
its refreshing to see desdemona act hysterical before her death, there are so many productions that tone her reaction down too much, it becomes unrealistic.
xxxwhitezombiexxx 2 years ago 4
this desdemona sucks
itsjohannahere 2 years ago
I love this! <3
I have watched it scores of times in the last few days! :)
(I love the word scores)
This is the best Desdemona EVER and I wish I had been there to see it! Thanks for making my day! :D
rickazrin 2 years ago
Why didn't he kiss her the first time?
rickazrin 2 years ago
this was amazing! i own the dvd. best desdemona ever, btw. most people play her as all helpless and weak, but this actress gets at her desperation.
fuzzysnail47 2 years ago 9
thanks, helped a lot with my english lit homework :L
JJordanx 2 years ago 13
Comment removed
anirudhjayaram1986 2 years ago
I saw this production (not this particular night, however). I found it , at best, adequately acted- except for Cassio , who was quite believable.
I was standing next to two ladies in their 80s, and when it was over, one asked me if I enjoyed it. The other looked me straight in the eye and said, "Of course he didn't- it was rubbish!"
Love those Brits!
kissfool 2 years ago
It can be better, but that looks excellent. I remember having the reenact this in high school and the teacher had us to add bits we think would make it better to the play (not lines, actions) for bonus points. We agreed that after his furious yell of "Peace! Be Still!", while Desdemona is composing herself, he should drink water/wine from a cup. When she says "What is the matter", he gets angry again, and throws the halfway-full cup on the floor. So much potential! You can do so much in this!
MMChaosVortex 2 years ago 5
Comment removed
anirudhjayaram1986 2 years ago
o mi god!! thats was sooo cool. Shake sphere is one sick dude!
wart0rn 2 years ago 5
This was AMAZING!!!!
SilverThunderRose 2 years ago 5
Eamon was awsome
AznRomeo232 2 years ago
Zoe Tapper is definitely one of my favourite actresses
:-)
MaiaRutledge13 2 years ago 3
I thought that was a phenomenal piece of acting. The actress who played Desdemona was excellent. x
PrincessCaityLynne 2 years ago 5
Yes, Zoe Tapper is excellent.
You should watch 'Stage Beauty'
She plays Nell Gwynne in that film :) She is great x
amyrollin 2 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i'm sorry but this sucks....they weren't othello and desdemona... they were 2 blokes who pretended to be them... and it shouldnt be like that
fingirl87 2 years ago
I've never thought of Zoe Tapper as a bloke before!!!
The acting style is how it would have been in Elizabethan theatre, which is the point of the Globe. Naturalism comes a little later than the 16th/17th Century.
AlanHilter 2 years ago
still dont like it.. i wouldnt play it like that
fingirl87 2 years ago
Right. So the original acting conventions are wrong? Someone should have a word with Shakespeare!
AlanHilter 2 years ago 8
i'll talk to him! :-D
fingirl87 2 years ago
@AlanHilter get shakespeare on the phone! tell him shit ain't right
tregbo101 1 year ago
@AlanHilter Don't be rude. We use the original acting conventions in my theatre as well, but I wouldn't do it like that. We use even more, if you want to go that far - we use minimal props, minimal set, and use the words to tell the story. Just because someone doesn't like a portrayal doesn't mean the acting conventions are what they dislike - they dislike how these actors used their skills to put across the emotions. Don't get huffy - you aren't the final word on Shakespeare's conventions.
PaintedMaypole26 1 year ago
@PaintedMaypole26 - Quite. I don't have an issue with the conventions, I just don't think she is a particularly good Desdemona.
mattnotmatt2 1 year ago
@fingirl87 I wouldn't agree with that. Honestly I think this is played out stronger that the Othello I watched at the theatre. I'm not sure what you're trying to say.. are you an better actress/actor than these? Sure thing...
Anyways, the strong acting here is way better that the "post-modern"/post-minimaltic way of the play I saw, so compared - this would be a piece of cold while the other coal.
PlyLilian 10 months ago
This is how it would have been in Elizabethan times fool, Othello and Desdemona werent real people..your just contridicting what your saying... in the Film the 'blokes' that played them were just pretending to be them to..thats what actors do.. jesus christ
alessaapathy 2 years ago
take it easy honey.
don't start a war
fingirl87 2 years ago
Bit of Trivia. Eamonn Walker was the first black actor to play Othello at the Globe.
ramcity 2 years ago
What? how could they have a white actor play Othello?
wildrosew 2 years ago
Check your history. White actors have played Othello in "black face" for centuries. Some of the most famous actors to play him on the screen were white. Lawrence Olivier and Orson Wells.
ramcity 2 years ago
i loved olivier as othello....
fingirl87 2 years ago
wow, you learn something new every day, thanks!
wildrosew 2 years ago
Zoe Tapper plays an excellent Nell Gwynne in 'stage beauty' too =]
amyrollin 2 years ago 5
She's just so damn good. She was even good in "Demons". Only thing that was mind you. I reckon that she would be rather good as the new "Dr.Who" girl.
AlanHilter 2 years ago 3
Totally agree! x
amyrollin 2 years ago
@AlanHilter OMG how come i have never thought of that! That would be brilliant! They already had Christina Cole as a guest star, they should get Zoe. and i can see her as a companion... and she's close to matt smith's age, that would be super awesome! as long as they wouldn't make her have a crush on him... Rose was enough for me, plus i loved rose!
katebien 2 years ago
more please.
=(
weiRdFishYorke 3 years ago 2
soooooo sad :'(
ScaredOfAllah 3 years ago
Yes it is- Zoe Tapper.
AlanHilter 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I saw this live at The Globe in July 07 and I was not impressed with this Othello or the guy who played Iago. This guy needs to go back to Oz.
jadeleeo 3 years ago
I've saw this live at The Globe in July 07 and I was not impressed with this Othello or the guy who played Iago. This guy needs to go back to Oz.
jadeleeo 3 years ago
Hmmmm. Well both Eamon Walker (Othello) and Tim McInnerry (Iago) are British. McInnerry is probably most famous for his performances as Lord Percy and Captain Darling in Blackadder. He's bloody brilliant, however, in "Edge of Darkness" which is a series that must be seen to be believed!
AlanHilter 3 years ago
A fan as I am of Tim McInnerty (Captain Darling, sighs), I have to agree that he wasn't the greatest Iago. I do heart this Desdemona though =)
omegaxx19 3 years ago
What is this from?
hanshotfirst1138 3 years ago
erm...Othello.
AlanHilter 3 years ago
Yes, this I know, I meant what production :p. Is it in DVD anywhere?
hanshotfirst1138 3 years ago
Yes it is, you can find it on amazon :-)
Voyeuristik 3 years ago
Whoa! Emilia's black? How does that even work? Or am I seeing things?
botticelligal 3 years ago
No, that's right, but she should be. Don't forget if you fall into the trap of "why does Iago hate Othello?" "Because he's a racist", you're missing the important point: Iago suspects Othello has had sex with his wife. This is why he hates him, the notion that like has attracted like, Othello has slept with her because she is also black. The notion that it's racism is, I'm afraid, a rather lazy one.
AlanHilter 3 years ago
Iago also suspects Cassio has been sleeping with his wife. Iago suffers from a strong sense of displacement. I think its origin is most likely from his being passed over by Othello. War being everything to Iago, Othello is everything to Iago. Once 'spurned' by his deity Iago seeks to produce the same feelings in Othello, killing his faith in Desdemona. Or so I see it.
Xenu 3 years ago
I still think Emilia is supposed to be white. Otherwise it throws everything else in the play out of whack, if Iago's wife is black.
botticelligal 3 years ago
Of course you're right. But for this performance they decided to go in a different direction.
Xenu 3 years ago
No, if you read the play Iago wants to kill Othello for taking his job. And thus he has to kill Cassio and Othello cuz they are above him. Iago's wife is portrayed as a whore herself, but never black. Iago tricks Othello into thinking that Cassio slept with Desdemona, thus he wants to kill her for cheating on him.
TsujixAibon 3 years ago
Actually Othello appoints Cassio to be his lieutenant, and appoints him instead of Iago. Cassio is mainly a scholar and a fop, but Iago's proved himself in battle. Also, there are rumors about Othello cheating with Emilia, Iago's wife. But Iago himself says that there is no particular reason for his hatred of the moor.
Oreganochef 2 years ago 3
I thought he said he wants to get even with him "wife for wife"
Shenzinator 2 years ago
Evil is colorblind, as it were.
hanshotfirst1138 3 years ago
It's racism...bc the myth that black men have this mysterious sexual prowess, big schlongs & are just out to get "our women" have made white men paranoid for centuries. it's been the cause of many unwarranted deaths by noose. "Even now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe (desdemona)." eeek! get your torches and pitchforks, men!
CertainAsTheSun 1 year ago
But Iago doesn't really care about Emilia. He's just jealous bc the moor has a higher rank than him & a beautiful, upperclass wife & he hates that Othello promoted Cassio and not him.
CertainAsTheSun 1 year ago
GAH I need more of this! I'm playing Emilia at my school and I need help memorizing.
By the way this is the best rendition of this scene I've seen.
arwentheelf02 3 years ago 2
I own this DVD and it amazing!!!! my favorite shakespeare play performed at the Globe Theater!!! I had to get it.
shmoogle14 3 years ago 3
Im Othello for my skool play and this really helped :) this guy is pretty good at acting. Tyvm
supabriguy94 3 years ago 4