Digital Program

IAGO SPEAKS

Written by Daniel Macdonald


June 14 – July 7 | 2024

A stationary performance at The Ruins @ Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park


Run time: 90 minutes, no intermission

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. 

  • 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

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.