Photos

First look at Ian McDiarmid and cast in rehearsal for The Merchant of Venice

Rupert Goold transfers his RSC production to the Almeida Theatre

Rehearsal images have been released for the upcoming production of The Merchant of Venice at the Almeida Theatre.

Directed by the theatre's artistic director Rupert Goold, this production relocates one of Shakespeare's most controversial plays to the bright lights of Las Vegas in a whirlwind of glitter, gambling and greenbacks.

The cast features former Almeida artistic director Ian McDiarmid as Shylock. Susannah Fielding and Scott Handy reprise their roles as Portia and Antonio.

The company includes Merry Holden, Vinta Morgan, Vincenzo Nicoli, Finlay Robertson, Raphael Sowole, Tim Steed, Jonathan Tafler, Anthony Welsh, Tom Weston-Jones and
original RSC cast members Jamie Beamish, Rebecca Brewer, Caroline Martin and Emily Plumtree.

This production was originally produced by the RSC and is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Rick Fisher, music by Adam Cork, sound by Gregory Clarke, choreography by Scott Ambler and orchestrations by Alex Baranowski.

The Merchant of Venice opens at the Almeida Theatre on 5 December 2014 and runs until 14 February 2015.