Trust and Betrayal

An exploration of Othello and Macbeth for senior secondary students.

Macbeth meets Othello meets Twilight.

Four Actors examine the key themes in two of Shakespeare’s classic tragedies. They move in and out of scenes played by Shakespeare’s characters investigating the text in detail.

This script focusses on the machinations of ambitious political aspirants as well as the role sexual politics plays in determining behaviour. It also explores the richness and accessibility of Shakespeare’s language and how he chose particular words and phrases to raise the stakes in
a scene as well as reflecting character motivation.

The Actors investigate the historical and social implications implications in the casting of Othello.

Style: Contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare

Length: 50 minutes

Casting notes: Larger cast option for a classroom context: four students could play the designated actors with additional students playing the Shakespearean characters.

Cast age: 16 to 18, 18+

Audience age: teen, young adult

Publisher: Australian Script Centre