by InTrieste
“Othello Tango,” a dance production by the company Naturalis Labor, will be performed for one night only at the Rossetti on April 18 at 8:30 p.m. Conceived, choreographed, and directed by Luciano Padovani, the piece uses the language of dance and tango to explore jealousy as portrayed in one of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedies.
Inspired by Othello, the production delves into the emotional undercurrents of the play, drawing the audience into a visceral human reality shaped by intense, turbulent feelings. The narrative unfolds in a circular structure, framed by ritualistic opening and closing sequences. Within this arc, love is depicted in all its stages—from its tender, erotic beginnings to a passion that intensifies, gains power, and ultimately turns destructive.
At the heart of the drama is Iago, portrayed not just as a character but as a manipulative force—an unseen director who engineers scenes of jealousy, driving Othello into obsessive fantasies and violent delusions. Under Iago’s influence, Othello spirals into a state of paranoia and emotional torment, leading him to humiliate and ultimately murder Desdemona.
The cast includes Roberto Angelica, Loredana De Brasi, Jessica D’Angelo, Samuele Fragiacomo, Elisa Mucchi, Giuseppe Morello, Roberta Piazza, Ayelen Sanchez, and Walter Suquia. Assistant choreographer is Jessica D’Angelo.
“Othello Tango” offers a contemporary and physical reinterpretation of a classic tale, capturing the destructive power of jealousy through the intimacy and drama of tango.
