FOUR STARS
SHAKESPEARE’S The Merchant Of Venice is quite a
difficult play to watch. Issues of racism and anti Semitism are
raised throughout and the treatment of the Jewish Merchant, Shylock,
and his demise, nowadays seems degrading and awful.
A new production now on at the Globe tackles these
issues head on. It is uncomfortable viewing with Shylock ridiculed,
spat on and manhandled throughout and two Jews are roughed up within
the opening scene.
The story of Shylock’s brutal and humiliating
downfall starts with Bassanio who decides to woo the beautiful
Portia. To do so he borrows money from his wealthy friend Antonio.
However Antonio’s money is tied up in his ships which are at sea so
Antonio in turn takes out a loan with Shylock.
Shylock demands a forfeit should Antonio not be
able to repay his loan and they agree on a pound of Antonio’s
flesh. Antonio agrees, so sure is he that his ships will come in.
But when Antonio hears his fleet is lost at sea
and with it his fortune, Shylock demands his bond in full.
It is up to Portia, disguised as a lawyer to save
the Antonio.
Jonathan Pryce puts in an incredible performance
as Shylock. Indeed his famous speech of “hath not a Jew eyes” is
forceful and strong but so emotionally charged that it is almost
heartbreaking.
And watching his humiliation at the hands of
Antonio and Bassanio and their friends is chilling, in particular
Shylock’s enforced baptism when he is robbed of the one thing he
holds above all else – his religion.
Despite the sadness and anger there are moments of
laugh out loud humour and Jonathan Munby’s production makes the
most of them.
Stand out scenes were Shylock’s servant Gobbo,
played brilliantly by Stefan Adegbola who takes two groundlings out
of the pit and ropes them into his own dilemma of whether or not to
leave his master, and a hilarious performance by Globe regular,
Christoper Logan as Aragon, one of Portia’s suitors.
Ultimately this is about one man though and
Jonathan Pryce is outstanding.
The Merchant Of Venice is on at The Globe,
Bankside, until June 7. Tickets from £5. Visit
www.shakespearesglobe.com
or call the box office on 020 7401 9919.
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