Have a peek at what a modern take on Shakespeare’s drama of vengeance, commodities, appearance and reality with rehearsal images from the new production of The Merchant of Venice directed by Alex Pearson. Book your tickets now!
The classic play, staged by Poetic Justice Productions and Wolf Sister Productions, runs at the Drayton Arms Theatre until 19 October.
Antonio, a merchant, needs a loan. His friend, Bassanio, needs a rich wife in order to clear his debts. Portia, a wealthy heiress, is reduced to a prize that men must gamble for. Beneath the charmed surface, all are at risk and everyone needs a win. As for Shylock, the despised money-lender? All he wants is revenge, In a city run by greed, in the grip of carnival chaos, what price must you pay for love? Can you hope for justice in a society without tolerance? And for the outsider, is vengeance the closest he can get to winning?
400 years after it was first staged, The Merchant of Venice continues to trouble and challenge audiences with its world of prejudice and greed. This society is harsh and everyone in it is morally grey. But all are human, and Shakespeare skillfully manipulates our feelings about the antagonist; but can he ultimately succeed?
Ashley Gunstock leads the cast as Shylock. He’s joined in the production by Dan Burman, Genie Kaminski, Kevin G Drury, Michael Skellern and Zoe Lambrakis.
Pearson, whose credits include Oranges and Ink (Tristan Bates Theatre), Smashed Fruit (Jack Studio Theatre)and Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing (all at The Rose Playhouse), directs.
Rehearsal gallery
