Desdemona

"Desdemona: A play about a handkerchief" by Paula Vozel was presented at Welsbacher theatre from Wednesday to Sunday. The play directed by Adrienne Matzen was based on the tragic play Othello by William Shakespeare. The playwright put a new perspective to the events of Othello.

The play was a good illustration of how vivid imagination of a playwright can make things more interesting. The use of sexuality to show that innocent Desdemona was not actually honest to her husband tries to cut the tragedy of the play but adds a new sensation. The presentation of 21st century Desdemona, who is convinced of her right to choose other options when she is dissatisfied with the relationship, appears interesting. The director certainly had put a lot of effort and imagination to present the play. The director is successful in transforming Desdemona from a frail, innocent to disguised bad woman. The other plus point of the play was excellent performance by the actresses. The amazing acting of the actresses actually persuades the audience to believe the idea of the playwright. The performance was the most valuable part of the play. All the three actresses Kim Liebenberg (Desdemona), Carrie Allen (Emily) and specially Camille Schmierer (Bianca) were fabulous. The technical aspect of the play was good too. The use small stage in such an effective way made the audience feel as if the part of the play. The lights were used effectively to change situations while background of the stage was good too. Costume and make-up were successful in presenting the traits of the characters.

The play was good but there were certain things that could have, if changed, made play even better. The presentation of sexuality was not too convincing. The experiment was good and entertaining but not artistic for sure. The presentation of Desdemona as a woman, who keeps relationship with other to find one, whom she could satisfy with, rather than for money could have been better. It seems as though feminism is taken light-heartedly for mere enjoyment when it could have been used to create artistic and intense in feeling by using a "desperate Desdemona trying to find out a way". The dialogues were pretty confusing because of the use of different accents.

Overall, the 68 minute play was entertaining and worth watching but not as artistic as one expects. It surprised audience- totally different from what one would expect.