The Duke leaves it to Othello to decide whether or not to take Desdemona with him to Cypress. Othello puts her in Iagos’ care for the journey, with Iago’s wife Emilia at her service. Alone with Iago, Roderigo laments his heartbreak, threatening to kill himself in despair. Iago convinces him that Desdemona will eventually get tired of Othello and will be open to Roderigo’s affections if he can be patient. Iago inwardly conspires to weave Cassio into his web in his plot to destroy Othello. Later, in Cypress, word arrives that the Turkish fleet has been vanquished thanks to Othello’s leadership and to stormy seas. Cassio lands ashore and welcomes Iago, Emilia and Desdemona as they arrive. Othello soon lands with his soldiers and lovingly greets his wife. Once alone again, Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio and that he should pick a fight with him in order to undermine Cassio’s reputation, persuading him that without Cassio in the way, Roderigo’s chances with Desdemona will be greatly improved. Inwardly, Iago vows to use Roderigo to get rid of Cassio entirely or drive Othello mad with jealousy. That evening, Othello leaves Cassio to guard the watch, urging him to keep a quiet guard as he retires to his chambers with Desdemona. Cassio asks Iago to keep him company. After the couple departs, Iago persuades Cassio to have a drink with him. Cassio protests but Iago convinces him that the rest of the soldiers crave a celebration. Cassio gives in and gets so drunk he can barely stand. As he stumbles away, Iago privately casts aspersions on Cassio’s weak constitution to a ranking officer, setting the stage for his downfall.

The Play On Podcast series, “OTHELLO”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by MFONISO UDOFIA. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON. Directed by VICTOR MALANA MAOG.

The cast is as follows:

JEREMY TARDY as OTHELLO

BARRET O’BRIEN  as IAGO

KAYLI CARTER  as DESDEMONA

PAUL JUHN as RODERIGO

FRANCESCA FERNANDEZ as EMILIA

TOMMY SHRIDER as CASSIO

LAKISHA MAY  as BIANCA

CHRISTOPHER GURR as BRABANTIO AND LODOVICO

RACHEL CROWL as MONTANO

NATALIE HEGG as DUKE, CLOWN AND GRATIANO

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Cultural Consultant and Dramaturg: MARTINE KEI GREEN-ROGERS

Original Music, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Sound engineering by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Production Assistant: Michael Christopher Turner. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND.

The Managing Director of Business Operations and Partnerships at Next Chapter Podcasts is SALLYCADE HOLMES.

With very special thanks to the MA IN SOUND ARTS AND INDUSTRIES AND VIRGINIA WADSWORTH WIRTZ CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

The Play On Podcast Series “OTHELLO” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit ncpodcasts.com for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit playonshakespeare.org for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium on Apollo Plus for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to playonpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “BEWARE OF JEALOUSY”.

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