Othello August 9, 2008

He was a foreign warrior on their shores to protect their homeland from invading forces. She was her father's chaste and cherished "jewel". He told her of his past, of the exotic and sensual life he knew. She fell in love with him, chose to stand with him and lie with him against all the rules. But the laws of "men and nature" cannot allow love outside of race, class, age and gender. Malice and jealousy must deceive, betray and suffocate defiant love. Shakespeare's magnificent allegory is so enduringly beautiful it has been called "the Othello music". It is some of theatre's most resounding language and a story as startling, chilling and timely today as when it was written over 400 years ago.