The post-Bell era was always going to be a tough gig for Peter Evans. When he took the reins from Australia’s grand doyen of Shakespeare last year, a great weight of expectation fell upon him: would the company still thrive without the seasoned guidance and unrivalled experience of its founder and figurehead, John Bell? Now that Evans’ debut season as Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare has strutted and fretted its hour upon the stage, the answer to this conundrum is still unclear. After his somewhat uneven and inconsistent Romeo and Juliet earlier this year, a similarly uneven, inconsistent Othello is now embarking on a national tour. It’s a largely serviceable staging with some successful sequences, but in much the same way as Evans’ efforts with the star-crossed lovers, it’s ultimately little better than middle-rank.

In terms of its resources, this production boasts plenty of riches. The creative team are all tried and true regulars of the Australian theatre scene, with a stack of impressive creds on both traditional and more cutting-edge productions. The cast is also a unanimously safe bet, especially the core trio of Othello (Ray Chong Nee), Iago (Yalin Ozucelik) and Desdemona (Elizabeth Nabben). It’s an...