It started well enough and was in a modern dress (so no ill-fitting tights!) Unfortunately someone in our group became convinced that the titular Moor (being played by one of the tutors in question) was getting progressively 'darker' as the evening drew on. By darker I don't mean his mood, which would be in character, but rather his 'skin tone' - as inevitably he was white. I would hope that today no one would dare think of blacking up to play Othello (but I could be wrong).
Sadly, once pointed out it was hard not to test the theory with each new entrance. Consequently much of the plot was lost on me and, being a student, the call of the pub finally proved too great. Some of us ducked out at the interval to misuse a pound-a-pint Budweiser promotion elsewhere in town instead. Those that stayed joined us later but with no further tales of make-up misuse. They did, however, tell us that Desdemona had died showing a tad too much leg for her own liking and was noted trying to pull her skirt down during the rest of the final scene. Yes, like Yorick before her, she too had been prone to "flashes of merriment"!
Final thoughts - My main Moor seemed to read too much into the misplacing of one small handkerchief! Is this therefore where we get the phrase 'hanky-panky'?
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