There are two things to say about THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 which is at the New Theatre in Cardiff this week. Firstly, it is revolutionary, in both storytelling and the staging, the production also makes Shakespeare history. TRACY-ANN OBERMAN, who is the lead, is the first female to play Shylock.
It’s only 16 months since this production was in the capital but never has there been a more welcome and powerful return. We did review this show back then so understandably there will be elements of that review here.
Tracy-Ann you will undoubtedly have seen before, she’s a regular on our TVs in show like Doctor Who, Noises Off, Eastenders, and my particular favourite, Friday Night Dinner. She’s a brilliant Auntie Val in the very funny Channel 4 comedy, a part so far removed from Shylock that you truly see the versatility and depth of this superb performer.
The production comes to us following many sell-out runs, and it’s easy to see why. Shakespeare’s classic is transported to 1930s Britain with a new setting, which certainly make you think. This is a timely reimagining of the Bard’s 500 year-old, sometimes controversial classic. Be in doubt however, as radical as this production is, it is still very much Shakespeare.
It’s easy to shine the light on Tracy-Ann, who gives a powerful performance as Shylock, a part she clearly loves with a passion. In fact this reimagining is very much her idea and she is credited as co-creator. Apparently, she based her pawn shop-owning Shylock on the story of her great-grandmother.
Although it is her passion project, it’s also a production which relies on a masterful team of players, and this most certainly has that. There is much I have to say about what I witnessed on stage yesterday, but equally a lot I don’t want to say. There are elements of the play which will take your breath away and move you, in equal measures. I think spoiling those moments would be wrong.
So, with no real spoilers, here’s what the audience in November 2023 thought of the production. What was relevant then is even more so now….
There are many who believe this is one of Shakespeare’s plays which should be left on the shelves, and not even talked about or taught in class, but this production proves that shouldn’t be the case. It’s definitely not an easy watch at times. The subject matter is unsettling and complex, but here we are challenged as an audience to think and participate, as much as we are entertained.
The action is set in the the heart of the East End of London during a contemptible era of British anti-Semitism. The story unfolds on the eve of the Battle of Cable Street, when the East End working-class community forced back Mosley’s blackshirts.
Shylock is a resilient single mother and hard-working businesswoman desperate to protect her daughter’s future. When the charismatic merchant Antonio (JOSEPH MILLSON) comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck.
You can watch our interview with Joseph HERE.
The aristocratic, antisemitic elite includes GAVIN FOWLER as Bassanio and GEORGIE FELLOWS as Portia. The complex sequence of events, where Shylock is duped out of the money she is owed and forced to convert to Christianity, is shocking to say the least. There is an undercurrent of violence and a moment where XAVIER STARR as the bullying Gratiano throws a glass of water in Shylock’s face, it’s about as close as we get to seeing an actual violent act, it’s a moment which will make you jump.
Many of the cast we saw at the end of 2023 are still with this tour and feel even more entrenched in their characters.
Everything about this production feels fresh, new and once again, radical. I also feel, this could become the gold standard for all future productions of Merchant. Tracy-Ann delivers an outstanding, passionate performance in a play which has pitch perfect direction from co-creator BRIGID LARMOUR.
We were at yesterday’s matinee performance, with a lot of school groups in the audience. En Masse they were captivated by this production and will no doubt be discussing it in class today.
It would be very easy to take a cynical view of the message behind this two hour show but impossible to do so. It is sincere and relevant and deserves to be seen while you can.
There’s a moment at the end of The Merchant of Venice when Tracy-Ann, steps away from Shylock and into ‘real. mode. The house lights come up and she deliver a short, but incredibly timely message. I don’t want to say anymore than that as I think the impact is far more powerful when heard in the theatre. I’ve not really seen that done before, but it works in the context of, and out of the play. I can honestly say it moved me.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 is at the New Theatre in Cardiff running through to Saturday 22nd March. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee today (Thursday) and Saturday. For more details and tickets, go HERE.
You can also read our original feature, and meet the cast – HERE.
