Adrian Lester is one of the great Othellos; Glory Dazed

Amazing news at the National. Nicholas Hytner has invented a time machine that can bring Shakespeare to bumpkins who’ve never bothered to read him. His up-to-date Othello begins with Venice’s powerful élite dressed in two-piece suits, like Manchester Utd on tour, and striding around a war-room plotting military action against ‘the Turk’. In Act II, Othello and his task force are choppered out to Cyprus where a heavily fortified compound is ready and waiting for them. Crikey. Looks as though they conquered the enemy and built Camp Bastion in 24 hours flat. Fast work, chaps.

Othello’s squadron boasts two strange new recruits. Iago’s wife, Emilia, wears full British army uniform which, according to this show, is the correct costume for a Venetian aristocrat’s lady’s maid. Desdemona meanwhile sports a fusion of styles. Her flak jacket and helmet indicate membership of a British infantry regiment while her turquoise rucksack hints at a UN role, possibly as Breast Cancer Awareness Ambassador, like Geri Halliwell.