This production of Othello, directed by Gísli Örn Garðarsson, was created for the National Theatre of Iceland, offering a bold and contemporary interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy.

 

Stripping the play to its emotional core, the staging emphasises physical storytelling, rhythm, and visual imagery. Garðarsson brings a distinctive theatrical language to the work—blending movement, atmosphere, and music to heighten the psychological tension at the heart of the story. The result is an intense and immediate experience, where jealousy, power, and manipulation unfold with striking clarity.

 

Following its premiere in Iceland, the production toured internationally and was presented in Slovenia, reaching new audiences within the European theatre landscape. Garðarsson’s Othello forms part of his ongoing exploration of classical texts through a modern, physical approach—reimagining Shakespeare for contemporary audiences while remaining true to the raw emotional force of the original play.

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