Merchant of Venice (tour)

This new production of The Merchant of Venice follows Northern Broadsides’ successful template of no-nonsense Shakespeare and, as you watch the cast, dressed simply in grey suits, padding around the white square performance space, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the bard hailed from the West Riding. There’s something ‘right’ about hearing all that Elizabethan language uttered with more than a hint of the north.

The Merchant of Venice is, arguably, one of Shakespeare’s most gripping dramatic plays. But a deep vein of anti-semitism runs right through it.

Artistic director Barrie Rutter and his band of players haven’t ignored that. Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, is on the end of an unprecedented amount of abuse from the play’s Christian characters. But as Shylock, Rutter – who’s a jolly, personable chap even at the worst of times – actually makes us sympathise with Shylock even when he’s exhibiting the worst traits of those who work in the financial sector.

Broadsides make the plot simple to follow. After loaning money from Shylock, Bassanio (Paul Barnhill) heads to the city of Belmont to win the heart of wealthy heiress Portia (Clare Calbraith). To do this, he has to select the correct casket out of a choice of three. This he does, but not before defaulting on a loan that was secured against a pound of flesh attached to Bassanio’s best friend Antonio (Andrew Vincent).

Shylock demands his pound of flesh but, instead of getting what is rightly his, finds himself in a fake court where he is stripped of his assets, while everyone else lives happily ever after.

This production – which also contains elements of dance, live music composed by Conrad Nelson and some nifty guitar-playing by Richard Standing – actually avoids tackling the serious issues about human relations and attitudes towards minorities thrown up by old Shakey. But it is extremely accessible and highly spirited.

– Morgan Sproxton