Stepping Into Othello's Mansion at fortyfivedownstairs
Melbourne Shakespeare Company came back with Othello, after a smashing sold-out run with King Lear, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet. This time, walking past the posters, I knew this wasn’t going to be just another Shakesphere reimagination. It felt like stepping into a messy, emotional journey about love, power, and heartbreak.
Walking into fortyfivedownstairs on a cool Melbourne evening, I felt the basement room holding its breath. The room felt intimate and cozy, with the low lights and haze making the whole atmosphere feel mysterious.
As people found their seats and the lights dimmed, you could just tell something powerful was about to unfold.
The Dark Gripping Pulse of Othello
I have seen a few Othello adaptations, especially the grand film versions that focus tightly on the three main players, emphasising their relationships and drama in sweeping, cinematic ways.
Tanya Gerstle’s Othello was a pleasant surprise. Instead of grandeur, she directed a pure physical storytelling, where every gesture is loud and each movement made an impact. This unique approach made the story feel immediate and deeply personal, like witnessing a private battle of minds and hearts up close.
Gerstle’s innovative Pulse method meant the actors’ bodies told as much of the story as their voices. Watching the subtle shifts in posture made me realise how much emotion lies beneath Shakespeare’s words, something cameras can’t always capture.
A pleasant surprise was seeing Tanya Gerstle herself, sitting next to us, making notes quietly while watching our reactions and the actors unfold this layered, haunting tale live. It felt like witnessing the heartbeat of theatre in action.
The Bold Edge of Jealousy and Betrayal
Othello tells a slow unravelling of trust and love, yet here it feels sharp and immediate. The compact space of the venue sharpens every look and twitch. The production confronts the darkness at the core of the play without hesitation, exploring the trauma’s aftermath and betrayal’s destructive power.
The men appear broken and hardened by their experiences, while the women bear the consequences of their conflicts. Lago’s poisonous manipulations draw Othello into destructive paranoia, expanding Shakespeare’s original lines into overwhelming emotional reality.
The Othello's Five-Actor Ensemble
The cast is small but mighty. Christopher Kirby leads as Othello, perfectly capturing the general’s blend of strength and vulnerability. He brings to life Othello’s power and dominance, but also his genuine care for Desdemona. Throughout the play, Christopher makes you feel the full weight of Othello’s pain, anger, jealousy, and the heartbreaking grief caused by Iago’s spiteful lies.
Dushan Philips as Iago is the real spotlight-stealer for me. His portrayal is chillingly convincing, a mix of cunning humour and dangerous menace. Rather than a simple villain, Iago commands and starts the show as a magnetic, unpredictable force. He shifts the mood from tragedy to a suspenseful thriller, pulling the audience deep into his web with serious, calculated lies. Watching his manipulations unfold kept me guessing at every turn.
Tanya Schneider shines as Desdemona, radiating quiet strength and innocence, drawing the audience deep into her heartbreak as the tragedy unfolds. Lucy Ansell plays a friend misled into helping Iago’s plan, eventually sacrificing herself to reveal Iago’s true face.
Meanwhile, Matthew Furlani provides balance with layered performances, skilfully portraying both Cassio and Lodovico. His nuanced acting complements the shifting moods and rising tension throughout the play.
Together, this ensemble commands the room with presence, sometimes loud and intense, other times silent and filled with emotion.
What Lingers After the Curtain Falls
The energy of the play pulls viewers fully into the unfolding tragedy. I didn’t just watch Othello fall, I felt every bit of it with him.
The show made me think about how close love and betrayal really are, how trust can flip so quickly. Some moments made me laugh, break my heart, and finally accept the tragic fate the story offers.
It reminded me that love can be destructive, power can corrupt, and lies dressed up as truth are the scariest part. Even after I left, the tension and raw feeling stayed with me. That is the genius of the Pulse method.
Where To Witness Othello
Where: 11 to 28 September 2025, fortyfivedownstairs at 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Tickets: Starting from $35 to $49.
With no intermission and limited seating, book your tickets early before they sell out!
Disclaimer: This was an invited experience attended by Roslyn Foo and Devashree Joshi on Friday, 12 September 2025. As per Glamorazzi’s editorial policy, our reviews remain honest and independent.
Photos by Nick Robertson (@nickmickpics).
