Leader Weekends: Theatre Review (Othello & Best of Enemies)

<p>Giles Terera in <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/othello-national-theatre-review-london-giles-terera-clint-dyer-b1043490.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Othello at the National Theatre</a> leads a cast giving landmark performances. Plus, why <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/best-of-enemies-noel-coward-theatre-review-james-graham-play-gore-vidal-william-buckley-b1043357.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Best of Enemies at the Noël Coward Theatre</a> had the rare ingredients for five stars.</p><p>The Evening Standard’s chief theatre critic Nick Curtis is joined by culture editor Nancy Durrant to discuss this week’s extraordinary treats.</p><p><a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/jodie-comer-james-mcavoy-winners-evening-standard-theatre-awards-2022-b1046245.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get ready for the 66th Evening Standard Theatre Awards</a>, which returns after a two-year hiatus as the capital begins its Covid recovery. An exciting roster of winners will be announced on Sunday.</p><br><p><strong>Part 1: Othello at the National Theatre</strong></p><ul><li>Clint Dyer’s production of Othello is the first major version of the play by a black director at the National Theatre.</li><li>Hamilton star Giles Terera is an “extraordinary actor” who shows the “humanity” of Shakespeare’s Moor.</li><li>Why it’s a difficult, moving and complex play to watch but you’ll be glad to have seen it.</li><li>“Particularly stark and harsh” with a “singular focus on Othello’s race”, compared to recent productions.</li><li>Rosy McEwen’s stellar, strong performance as Desdemona displays an “intelligent woman who knows what she wants” and Paul Hilton presents an “almost carnivalesque” interpretation of Iago.</li><li>“Pretty damn close to perfect” but listen to the end to discover Nick’s criteria for awarding that hallowed fifth star.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Part 2: Best of Enemies at the Noël Coward Theatre</strong></p><ul><li>James Gr