Othello on CBC

I WISH I had more time to give this a longer review, but sadly that's not in the cards.

This Sunday night on CBC Television, there's an opportunity to see a really nifty two hour condensed version of Othello.

As described by CBC's cutline:

Hot-blooded lust and murder come to the CBC Television on Sunday, June 15, at 9 p.m., when the two-hour theatrical television adaptation of Othello: The Tragedy Of The Moor, based on William Shakespeare's Othello, raises this riveting drama of love and betrayal to new levels as a psychological thriller. At the heart of the story is: Othello (Carlo Rota), a noble Moor and general; Desdemona (Christine Horne), his loving wife; Cassio (Graham Abbey), his loyal lieutenant; and Iago (Matthew Deslippe), his ensign.

The show features three fine actors I've had the good fortune to work with: Matthew Deslippe (who rocked the villain part in Across The River To Motor City) as Iago and Graham Abbey and Nazneen Contractor from The Border stepping back into Stratford-era tights, too.

The idea of something like this -- putting CBC stars in a classical staged production, is interesting too -- a savvy way to extend that CBC star brand. These are the faces of the CBC, and it doesn't hurt to have them on the channel doing something else, too.

Unlike when, say, the same four actors show up in every Canadian show, the distance of costumes and tights and Shakespearean language bumps the curiosity factor high enough that, you know what? It really works.

If you were a fan of some of the BBC RSC filmed Shakespeares from the 1970s, then you'll appreciate the territory here. It's shot in studio, and you're definitely watching a filmed play (apparently they shot up to 16 pages a day) but the show doesn't look cheap -- in fact, it's a pretty good template for how to make something lower budget work. It's amazing how well they've pulled it off.

Rota is wonderful, and Deslippe is a very powerful Iago. What the hell happened to Matthew in his youth I will never know. He's a sinister dude on screen, that much I'll tell you.

Again, I wish I had the cogent powers to say more -- but my own pale scribblings come first, I'm afraid. So I'll just say, give this a gander and you may be surprised.

Alack, as Will S. Would say. Or is that fie?

Anyway, check it out,