'She loved me for the dangers I had passed... and I loved her that she did pity them.'
Othello, accused of tricking or bewitching Desdemona into marrying him, explains how she overheard the stories of his life, and they fell in love through the 'witchcraft' of empathy, storytelling, and gratitude.
Set in London's Docklands and performed in the atmospheric candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, see Ken Nwosu (Othello) perform Ola Ince's 'profound' ★★★★ ( Evening Standard) and 'inspired' ★★★★ (The Guardian) take on Shakespeare's blistering tragedy, Othello.
Following 2021’s 'bold, clever' ★★★★ (The Guardian) Romeo & Juliet in the Globe Theatre, Director Ola Ince debuts in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with Shakespeare’s confronting look at the destructive impact of institutional racism, toxic masculinity, and a justice system locked in a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Othello by William Shakespeare, directed by Ola Ince, plays in our Sam Wanamaker Playhouse until 13 April 2024: bit.ly/Othello2023
#OthelloGlobe #PlayByCandlelight
_____________________
Subscribe for scenes, interviews and more: bit.ly/ShakespearesGlobeKZfaq
Watch Shakespeare On Demand with Globe Player: bit.ly/GlobePlayerTV
See what's on: bit.ly/GlobeWhatsOn
_____________________
TRANSCRIPT
So justly to your grave ears I’ll present
How I did thrive in this fair lady’s love
And she in mine.
Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year, the beatings, stake outs, sieges,
That I have overcome.
I ran it through, even from my boyish days,
To th' very moment that he bade me tell it,
Wherein I spoke of most incredible odds,
Of rough London estates, and drug deals gone wrong
Of hair-breadth ’scapes i' th' imminent deadly breach,
Of being kidnapped and tortured for intel, of my redemption then
And portance in my travels history.
Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,
Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose heads touch heaven
It was my hint to speak-such was the process-
1And of the criminals that each other kill,
The mobsters who rob, assault, bribe, rape and conspire
All to get away with dirty money. This to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline.
But still the house affairs would draw her thence,
Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
She’d come again, and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse, which I, observing,
Took once a pliant hour and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
Whereof by parcels she had something heard
But not intentively. I did consent,
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
That my youth suffered. My story being done
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs.
She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange,
'Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
I should but teach him how to tell my story
And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spoke.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.
_____________________
ABOUT SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE
Shakespeare’s Globe is a world-renowned performing arts venue, cultural attraction and education centre located on the bank of the River Thames in London, UK, and is home to the Globe Theatre and Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
We celebrate Shakespeare’s transformative impact on the world by conducting a radical theatrical experiment. Inspired and informed by the unique historic playing conditions of two beautiful iconic theatres, our diverse programme of work harnesses the power of performance, cultivates intellectual curiosity and excites learning to make Shakespeare accessible for all.
‘And let us ... on your imaginary forces work.’
- Henry V, Prologue