NEW BOY Hogarth Shakespeare, Book 5

The fifth entry in the Hogarth Shakespeare series reimagines OTHELLO taking place in the 1970s in Washington, DC. Narrator Prentice Onayemi's rhythmic performance carries listeners through Osei's first day as the only black student in a private elementary school. Well-liked Dee is asked to make Ghana-born Osei feel welcome, tipping the first domino in the destruction of the sixth-grade social sphere. Onayemi's believable African accent provides a sharp contrast between the ambassador's son and his American classmates. The distinctions among the female characters are less clear, however, as both teachers and students are given a similar lilt and vocal register. Despite the emotional punch Onayemi injects into the story's end, listeners may find it difficult to connect with the Shakespearean tragedy as enacted by 11-year-olds. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2017]