The Merchant of Venice Drayton Arms Theatre, London, June 2014
A story of power, greed and love
Antonio, a Muslim, enters into a bond with Sara, a high-flying Jewish woman working in the world of finance, for the sum of 3,000 ducats so that Bassanio, the man he secretly loves, can marry rich heiress, Portia. Meanwhile, Portia, along with her companion, Nerissa, devises a plan to thwart her late father’s scheme to pick a suitable husband worthy of his daughter and instead marry a man of her choosing. As Portia and Bassanio exchange vows, word reaches them that a financial disaster has left Antonio penniless and owing ‘a pound of flesh’ to the vengeful Sara. However, only a pair of good-looking young strangers can save Antonio from Sara’s knife... Our alternative 21st-century Venice stays true to the original text and still employs the Bard’s themes of cultural and racial prejudice, the insecure nature of investment and the empowerment of women.
Directed by Carol Allen Produced by Anna Ray, Ellis McFarland, Charlie Frost, William Ewing Set and costumes designed by Marcio Andrey Santarosa Stage manager Adam Tolfrey
The Cast Claire Garrigan as Shylock, aka Sara Fahad Salman as Antonio Komal Amin as Portia Charlie Forst as Bassanio Ellis McFarland as Gratiano Anna Ray as Nerissa Sofia Stephanou as Jessica Richard Armah as Lorenzo Rohan MacCullum as Solanio/Duke of Venice Obi Obiora as Salerino/Prince of Morocco Adam Tolfrey as Prince of Arragon/policemen