Marks Set Against Me

Synopsis
Audio podcast. First episode of a radio serialisation of Shakespeare’s Othello. Episode scripts were adapted and produced by Catherine Eaton and rendered into modern English verse by Mfoniso Udofia. The production was directed by Victor Malana Moag. Part of the ‘Play On Shakespeare’ project to create more contemporary and accessible versions of the texts for performance.

1. A rich young man named Roderigo rages in anger at Iago when he learns that the woman he’s been pining for (and paying Iago to help him win), Desdemona, has just married Othello, a General who Iago reluctantly serves. Iago tells Roderigo that he hates Othello for promoting Michael Cassio to the rank of Lieutenant over him. Together, they go to the house of Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, to tell him that his daughter has been stolen by Othello. Not wanting his hatred of Othello to be known, Iago steals away before Brabantio sees him. Later, as Iago sits with Othello at his lodgings, Michael Cassio arrives with a message from the Duke informing Othello that he’s needed to help fend off an imminent attack by the Turkish fleet. Brabantio arrives at the Duke’s palace at the same time as Othello and publicly accuses him of stealing his daughter. Othello defends himself by speaking honestly of how he won Desdemona’s affection with tales of his adventures. Desdemona enters to defend her choice in marriage and tells her father before the Duke that her allegiance is to Othello. The Duke is sympathetic to the couple and agrees to consider Desdemona’s request that she be allowed to accompany Othello on his voyage to defend Cyprus against the Turks.
Series
Play on Podcasts: Othello
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Audio
Transmission details
11 Sep 2023
Duration
39 mins

Credits

Director
Victor Malana Maog
Producer
Catherine Eaton
Music
Lindsay Jones
Sound Design
Lindsay Jones
Adaptor for Radio
Mfoniso Udofia
Executive Producer
Michael Goodfriend
Cast
Jeremy TardyOthello
Kayli CarterDesdemona
Barrett O’BrienIago
Tommy ShriderMichael Cassio
Francesca FernandezEmilia
Christopher GurrLodovico
Christopher GurrBrabantio
Lakisha MayBianca
Natalie HeggClown
Natalie HeggGratiano
Natalie HeggDuke of Venice
Paul JuhnRoderigo
Rachel CrowlMontano

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Othello
Subjects
Drama; Shakespeare
Keywords
racial identity; radio drama; racism; racial stereotyping

Notes

Notes
Udofia’s adaptation, first performed in 2021, updates the language in various ways. Among the changes in her version see the the substitution of ‘moor’ throughout, replacing it with such words as ‘black,' ‘monkey’ and others.

Online Availability

Online URL
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/othello-marks-set-against-me/id1561429994?i=1000627476229
Online format
Streamed/Download

Production Company

Name

Next Chapter Podcasts

Web
https://ncpodcasts.com/playonpodcast External site opens in new window

Sponsor

Name

Play On Shakespeare

Email
info@playonshakespeare.org
Web
https://playonshakespeare.org/ External site opens in new window
Phone
(541) 846 8466
Address
PO Box 955
Ashland, OR
97520
USA

Distributor

Name

Apple Podcasts

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Marks Set Against Me". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av80279 (Accessed 25 Nov 2024)