HCM CITY — A Shakespearean tale of love, jealousy and betrayal will be presented in a unique style in HCM City next week.
Othello will be performed by students of Wellington College, one of England's most famous public schools, in an intimate "in the round" style that has yet to have been performed in Viet Nam. The play is directed by Anthony Seldon, headmaster of the Wellington College, a political and historical writer.
Seldon has written and edited 25 books, including the standard biographical work on former Prime Minister Tony Blair. His latest book on Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be published later this year.
Seldon said he has worked hard to make the tragedy of Othello simple for his young performers and their audiences.
The play will be accompanied by music, song and dance, and will culminate in a memorable climax, he said.
Seldon and his students will visit and stage the play at the Renaissance International School of Saigon.
Their performance tour is sponsored by HCM City's Viet Nam-Britain Friendship Association and its partners, including the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera.
The show in the city is part of their Asian tour and follows performances in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
"Each of our talented young actors is a star in the making," said Seldon. "They bring an energy and passion to their performances which is extraordinary in ones so young.
"I have directed plays for 30 years since my time at Oxford University and these pupils show ability and originality beyond their years."
Othello has remained virtually unchanged since it was written by William Shakespeare in around 1603, a measure of the play's enduring power as a study of human nature.
The plot sees jealous Iago plotting revenge over the marriage of Desdemona, the woman he loves, to his rival Othello, a general in the army.
Iago convinces Othello, falsely, that Desdemona has betrayed him with Cassio, his faithful lieutenant, and Othello takes his revenge with deadly consequences, only to realise his tragic mistake as the play ends.
"We are looking forward to bringing the genius of Shakespeare to Viet Nam. His themes are intensely human, timeless and relevant in any culture. A performance of Othello in this style-in the round – has rarely, if ever, been performed in HCM City and it is an honour for us to represent our country's immortal bard," said Seldon.
He also added that his crew hopes to provide city audiences, both Vietnamese and foreigners, fully-staged and costumed English theatre.
Othello will be staged next Tuesday, April 6. — VNS