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The Merchant of Venice

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Play Closed 6 October 2007

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London

The Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London presents William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice during the 2007 Season.

Portia, a wealthy heiress of Belmont, sets her suitors a challenge. He who wins it will win her hand; those who lose it will lose her hand and much more. In Venice, city of consumption, speculation and debt, Bassanio borrows money from Antonio to finance his attempt. Antonio, in turn, takes out a loan from the moneylender Shylock. The loan will be repaid when Antonio’s ships return to the city. If they should fail and the money cannot be paid Antonio shall give to Shylock a pound of his own flesh. And they do fail. And Shylock will have his ‘bond’.

Shakespeare dramatises the competing claims of tolerance and intolerance, religion and civil society, justice and mercy, in some of his most electrifying scenes, and in the character of Shylock created one of the most unforgettable outsiders in all theatre. Often misunderstood, sometimes vilified, always controversial, The Merchant of Venice makes a timely return to the Globe after nine years.

William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice in London id directed by Rebecca Gatward with designs by Liz Cooke and music by Adrian Lee. This production of The Merchant of Venice will employ Renaissance staging, costume and music.

Rebecca Gatward recently directed The Indian Boy and co-directed The Canterbury Tales for the RSC. Designer Liz Cooke has worked twice before at Shakespeare’s Globe, winning great acclaim for her designs for The Comedy of Errors and Pericles. Composer, Adrian Lee has worked extensively with the RSC, including for The Canterbury Tales and their current production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra.