IAGO SPEAKS
Written by Daniel Macdonald
June 14 – July 7 | 2024
Iago Speaks is a sophisticated and entirely original play that celebrates and questions the very idea of what Theatre is. At first glance, the play appears to follow the events immediately after the curtain comes down on Shakespeare’s Othello; but the story quickly turns, introducing us to Iago’s jailor – a bit player – as he tries to find the true purpose of his repetitive task of keeping watch over Iago. If you don’t quite ‘get’ Shakespeare, don’t worry: neither does the Jailor! This meta-theatrical comedic romp into the imagined next chapter of a notorious Shakespearean villain is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Will Iago break free? Will the Jailor finally be the protagonist of his own story? What is the point of stories? Why do we keep telling the same old stories repeatedly? Iago Speaks tackles all of the big questions – and more.
Iago Speaks had its world premiere in 2022 at the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival, with dramaturgy and direction by Krista Jackson. Thanks to the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre and SKArts for their support in development.
A stationary performance at The Ruins @ Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park
Run time: 90 minutes, no intermission
Iago Speaks Program
Photography by Leif Norman
Iago Speaks: Making a Canadian Shakespeare
Playwright Daniel Macdonald and Rodrigo discuss the making of Iago Speaks and how Shakespeare continues to inspire new works.
Iago: The Baddiest Baddie
In Daniel Macdonald’s Iago Speaks, The Jailor exclaims that Iago is:
“A most notorious villain. The most villainous villain in all villainy.”
In this Shakespeare Snippet, Artistic Director, Rodrigo Beilfuss tells us why.
CAST
Joshua Beaudry The Jailor
Arne MacPherson Iago
ARTISTIC & TECHNICAL TEAM
Daniel Macdonald Playwright
Rodrigo Beilfuss Director
Matthew Paris – Irvine Associate Director & Movement Director
Kate George Set & Props Design
Brenda McLean Costume Design
Jacquie Loewen Fight Director
Evan King Production Manager & Running Crew
Cari Simpson Technical Director
Katie Hoppa Production Stage Manager
Ridge Romanishen Stage Manager
Samantha Sage Assistant Stage Manager
Rachel Baziuk Props & Set Coordinator
Julia Anderson Wardrobe Coordinator
Claire Sparling Cutter/Stitcher