Reader Reviews
The Merchant of Venice (Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I went to see this production with some trepidation. Am not a fan of the play and this production did nothing to change that. Angus Wright played Shylock but never gave a real sense of the man which was a shame. But there were some good performances, notably Jack Laskey's Bassanio and especially the excellent Georgina Rich as Portia. I still don't really like the play but have warmed to it a little thanks to this production - Paul Wallis | 19 Aug 08 |
| First half was dull with no real excitement. The stage and costumes were not to the theme of the play. Antonio was too young and Gratiano to old. Bassanio was great and looked like Dr.Who. Shylock acted with a convincing tone. An emotional scene between Lancelot and Gobbo. Overall good performance even though Tim Ho fell asleep. - M.A.D 3 | 19 Jun 08 |
| This was my first visit to see RSC and I thought the production was fabulous. At first I was suprised as I expected to see costume, however I was so impressed by the acting and spoken word I was lost in the whole play. - Jackie | 21 May 08 |
| I saw the first matinee and loved this production. It didn't dictate to the audience - it let us make up our own minds. I know I'd rather have to think than have a heavy handed moral tacked on to Shakespeare's magnificent text. - Tom | 16 Apr 08 |
| The WOS review is not very informative. I saw the production too and found it very refreshing and innovative. The acting was first rate and all the actors were able to speak Shakespeare's verse. I loved the fairy tale atmosphere in Belmont. Angus Wright distanced himself from Shylock cliches and played his character as a man unwilling to show his emotions to his enemies. This made the trial scene even more effective. I don't know if the critic and I saw the same production. I found it highly entertaining and it made me think. - Carolin | 15 Apr 08 |
| We saw this last week and were disappointed with it. An amateur production from the RSC - Adrian | 14 Apr 08 |
| I found this to be a very memorable production. I love to hear the verse spoken properly, if you to it well the lines become most understandable do it wrong and you inevetably twist the meaning. I loved the magic of the casket scenes they are afterall fairtale moments. Other very entertaining moments come from picking out members of the audience to represent the suiters and handover letters all very deftly done and delivering some very funny moments. The play is what it is and there is plenty to contemplate within the text. I hate being told what to think by directors; this is a successful production that trusts and involves the audience. - Andy Parsons | 13 Apr 08 |
| Completely agree with the review. A disaster - Alnoor | 13 Apr 08 |
| The review doesn't give the names of any of the actors! I give one star to this review. - Gareth Franklin | 12 Apr 08 |
| The play is in verse - or de-dum-de-dum... That's the point. And, thank God for a production which doesn't tell us what to think but challenges us to respond to Shakespeare's text without some awfully clever "interpretation". Well done the actors - stick with it. - Bogmarsh | 12 Apr 08 |
| Are you sure we saw the same play? I really loved this production and above all thought it was acted superbly. - Helen | 11 Apr 08 |
