UGA Theatre closes 2017-2018 season with Shakespeare’s Othello

“The robb'd that smiles, steals something from the thief; He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.” Thus speaks the Duke to Desdemona’s father Brabantio in Othello, thus UGA Theatre closes their season with one of the Bard's best:

Shakespeare’s “Othello,” widely regarded as one the greatest masterpieces of English literature, is a meditation on the nature of cruelty and envy. Othello, a valiant and renowned general, has earned the love and respect of the state he serves—and more importantly that of Desdemona, whom he secretly marries. But his most trusted friend and advisor, Iago, harbors a hidden resentment against him. In a bitter quest to destroy Othello, Iago carefully sows the seeds of doubt in him and effectively poisons the minds of everyone he encounters. 

UGA Theatre has re-imagined its premiere venue for the production.

“We have completely reconfigured the Fine Arts Theatre for this production to maximize the impact of the play’s relentless drive and raw emotional intensity,” said David Saltz, head of the department of theatre and film studies. Instead of being seated in the theatre’s 678-seat auditorium, the entire audience will be seated on the stage, completely surrounding the actors. “Our designer, Michael O’Connell, has effectively created an intimate 180-seat theatre-in-the-round just for this show. Everyone in the audience will have an amazing view very close to the action.”

I've been looking forward to this, even before learning about the innovative staging. Performances will be held in the Fine Arts Theatre April 6-7 & 12-14 at 8 pm and April 8 & 15 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $16, $12 for students, and can be purchased at ugatheatre.com/othello, by phone at 706-542-4400, or in person at the Performing Arts Center or Tate Center box office. Congratulations on a great season to our students, faculty and staff in the department of theatre and film studies.