The Merchant of Venice
From: Friday, 13th May 2011
To: Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Our Review: 
Your Reviews:
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Synopsis
Written around 1596 and the first Shakespeare to be preformed professionally in America (New York, 1752). A man needs money to pursue a rich heiress (Portia) and approaches his friend Antonio - but unable to lend it Antonio approaches the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Shylock hates Antonio because of his Christian contempt for usury so offers a contract wherebty if the money is not repaid he may take a pound of flesh instead. The quality of mercy is not strained as Shylock is foiled out of his pound of flesh by Portia dressed as a man. A dark comedy exploring greed and racism.
Our Review:
Simon Tavener - 20 May 2011
I will admit to having my doubts about Rupert Goold's vision for The Merchant of Venice as rumours started coming out about a Las Vegas setting, a Rock and Roll soundtrack and the on-stage presence of superheroes. Within minutes of entering the theatre, my concerns were dispelled and three hours of incredibly well-thought out theatre swept me along to a really original and shocking denouement.
Yes, this production is set in Vegas – a city of money, sleaze and excess. The show explodes into life with an Elvis impersonator and showgirls leading the company in "Viva Las Vegas"! I will refrain from spoiling too many of the details, as the joy of this production is the way Goold has taken something so familiar and made it work in a new, original, entertaining and thought-provoking way.
There will be those who turn their noses up at the prospect of the Royal Shakespeare Company delivering the text with American accents. However I have always fou...
Latest User Review
J D Atkinson - 24 September 2011:
Absolutely sensational! By far the best of the three canonical Shakespeare plays currently playing at Stratford. I'm only sorry I won't be able to see the show again. Let's hope this production will be captured on film....
Cast
Patrick Stewart (Shylock)
Creative
Shakespeare (Author)
Royal Shakespeare Company (Company)
Rupert Goold (Director)
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