Desdemona
by Paula Vogel

Name: Desdemona
Brand: Paula Vogel
SKU: 9780822213918
Rating: 3.59 (425 reviews)

Off-Broadway

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

90 minsAncientAll WomenInterior SetPeriod CostumesComedy

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the feminist reinterpretation of Othello that focuses on the perspectives of female characters. Many praise the unique approach and comedic elements, while some find the execution lacks depth and falls short of Vogel's other works. There is a mix of excitement for the play's themes and disappointment in its perceived superficiality.

Strong feminist themesUnique take on OthelloGreat roles for womenLacks depth in executionSome find it too artsy

Synopsis

Having slept with Othello's entire encampment, Desdemona revels in her bawdy tales of conquest.

Her foils and rapt listeners are the other integral and re-imagined women of this Shakespeare tragedy: Emilia, Desdemona's servant and the wife of Iago, and Bianca, now a majestic whore of Cyprus.

The reluctantly loyal Emilia pesters Desdemona about a military promotion for her husband.

Her motive, however, is that he leave her a wealthy widow, preferably sooner than later.

Bianca, now a street-wise, yet painfully naive prostitute, visits Desdemona thinking she is a very good friend and fellow hooker (at least one night a week).

Bianca thinks the worst when she soon discovers that Desdemona knows intimate details of the life of her lover, Cassio.

Though Desdemona has never been intimate with Cassio, her life is soon in danger when her husband, Othello, also suspects her of infidelity.

Press Reviews

"Vogel remains one of the smartest, most original and engaging playwrights to come along."
— Newsday

"A well-crafted and humorous Shakespeare-inspired three-hander, which contain[s] some fun and risqué moments."
— Everything Theatre

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Emilia Broad Irish brogue. Desdemona’s servant.	—	—	Broad Irish brogue. Desdemona’s servant.
Bianca Iago’s wife. Stage cockney.	female	—	Iago’s wife. Stage cockney.
Desdemona Upper-class. Very.	—	—	Upper-class. Very.