That was the bit that caught the Commissioning Editor's eye at R3, I fancy?

       " O the pity of it, Iago, the pity!"       

     

             Howl, howl, howl, howl! - O you are men of stones:
             Had I your tongues and eyes, I'd use them so
             that heaven's vault should crack.

                                                            Lear, Act V, sc iii       

   Thank you, George, for 'a round, unvarnished' appetiser.    Another of those occasions when I miss London so much.

Indeed, after my original posting, I sat down and listed all the 'Othello' productions I'd seen, starting with Frederick Valk/Donald Wolfit combat - 1/6d out of my schoolboy pocket money in 1948; the monumental presence of Orson Welles, St James's Theatre (1952) and Richard Burton & John Neville alternating, as Othello/Iago at the Old Vic in 1956; Olivier, extraordinary, even when veering towards 'pure Pearl Bailey'.      Enough, no more...except for a 17 year old playing Brabantio with a stoop and quivering tone,  "Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see; she has deceived her father (Pause) AND MAY THEE!"   What the Theatre World magazine used to call 'a significant moment'    I still have my casting card from The British Empire Shakespeare Society (BESS) but can't recall where I've stashed my pith helmet!

A production which got progressively better and eventually made for involving and exciting listening.
The early scenes seemed pitched for the Donmar Warehouse and I was almost willing the cast to use the advantages of microphone technique to shape the intimacy and nuances of the action, particularly in the Othello/Iago duologues.  This facilitates the shaping of words within a phrase and reveals the richness of the language.   Unexpectedly, this occurred when Chiwetel Ejiofor's Othello took control of his scenes and I would rate his performance among the best I have ever experienced.   This production ranks high in R3 Drama. 

 Thank you, Andy.    I've seen many productions of 'Othello' over the decades and yet it always takes me by surprise.   Some years ago, a well known actress (related to Morse - sh!)) gave me good advice when she advised me to always clear my mind when attending, in particular, a classic play; not to direct it in my mind before the curtain rises.

This has been a good weekend for radio drama.   Yesterday, afternoon, I quit the garden to hear Anthony Minghella's play 'Cigarettes and Chocolate' - an experienced cast hit the right microphone buttons, right from the start, and a good ensemble is always rewarding.   I was intrigued as the main theme was almost a variation on 'Rebecca' where an unseen character is centre stage as she is discussed and presented from so many angles.   Immediately after the play, we heard Minghella's choice in 'With Great Pleasure' - I pressed the 'record' button and enjoyed my pleasure during the evening.