The Aquila Theatre Company, based in New York, opened the Bermuda Festival 2004 last night with Shakespeare's "Othello". This is their third year in the festival and hopefully they will become a fixture.

The company is dedicated to performing classical theatre in a way that is alive and vibrant but always presenting the play as it was meant to be presented.

Before the show there was a lecture in the National Gallery during which audience members were able to learn some of the background of the play, rehearsal process and overall vision of the piece. I found the lecture extremely interesting and informative but could not help thinking that it would be better served after the production.

In the play Othello, a Moor and mercenary for the Venetian army, secretly marries Desdemona, the daughter of a senator. Othello's ensign, Iago, miffed at being passed over for promotion and envious of Othello's accomplishments, sets into motion events that will bring about the proud Moor's downfall by planting doubts about Desdemona's fidelity and masterfully manipulating others to make his statements seem true.

Aquila's "Othello" was fairly well-realised with stunning lighting, haunting original music, a minimalist set and use of varied stylised movement. As with plays they have presented here previously limited props and set pieces were used to create the different sets.

The performance was quite physical with beautiful movement that was often used to set the scenes. Stage smoke was utilised at some points to suggest battle fields and others to set up for more dramatic sequences.

Anthony Cochrane was particularly outstanding as an almost likeable Iago, playing the part spot on with devilish humour and completely engaging the audience. Kathryn Merry was very natural and suitably tragic as Desdemona. Lloyd Notice was a competent and commanding albeit detached Othello and this detachment unfortunately made some of the more emotional moments fall a bit flat for me. It is possible that his portrayal of the character in this manner was to underline his status as an outsider but I found it a bit distracting and the performance a bit difficult to believe.

Overall I would say that it was a fine opening performance and a very relevant play. Issues of race, sex and jealousy were all explored against a modern military backdrop.

I was delighted to see students in attendance and to learn that Aquila will be presenting a shortened performance for students today. Their creative and unusual style of presenting classical theatre is perfect for engendering an a keen interest in theatre in young people.