Oct. 15-18: “Othello” (Agassiz Theatre, Cambridge)
Harvard Hyperion Shakespeare weaves a tale of treachery, love and betrayal in the form of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy “Othello.” The titular character is a noble Black general in the Venetian army who falls prey to the jealousy of the manipulative ensign Iago, who resolves to cast suspicions on Othello’s beautiful wife, the senator’s daughter Desdemona. Doubting Desdemona’s fidelity, Othello is seized by mistrust and must grapple with the deceptions wrought by Iago, who plays the puppet master in Othello’s life. What instincts should Othello listen to, and what reality should he believe? Audiences will watch the protagonist struggle. Central themes of misogyny and racism carry as much resonance as when the play was first crafted. Tickets to opening night are free for Harvard students. This student-run performance represents a revival for Hyperion Shakespeare, which returns to the campus theater space, Agassiz Theatre, after three years.
Oct. 16: “Manipulo” (SomArt @ the Hive, Somerville)
Talvez, a contemporary dance company from Ecuador, comes to Somerville for an immersive Friday performance. The stage at SomArt@theHive will recall the aesthetic of a Japanese garden, featuring rocks that can be moved by audience members to influence the positioning of dancers. Performers’ motions will correspond with the actions of spectators and, likewise, the sounds created when stones graze tables will be channeled into live music. “Manipulo,” directed by Marcela Correa, plays with improvisation, and no two performances are the same.
