The Merchant of Venice, one of Shakespeare?s best-known plays, previewed at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre in Wynberg this week.
This production, directed by Roy Sargeant, is set in Venice, Italy during the Second World War. This play is best known for the roles of Shylock, a rich, Jewish moneylender and Antonio, a faithful, generous merchant of Christian religion.
Shylock hates Antonio for often lending money at lower interest than the usurer demands, hence, when Antonio wishes to borrow three thousand ducats to help Bassanio, a friend, Shylock prepares a trap.
Trial is called
Antonio signs a bond stating that should the loan not be repaid within three months, a pound of flesh from any part of his body will be forfeited to Shylock. A trial is called for to resolve this legal dispute between the two.
Set design is by Keith Anderson and costumes designed by John Caviggia. A talented young cast features Jeremy Crutchley as Shylock, Tessa Jubber as Portia, Graham Weir as Antonio, Clayton Boyd as Bassanio and Scott Sparrow as Gratiano amongst others. Original music is written by Michael Tuffin.
The Merchant of Venice opens at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre on January 12 at 20:15. Special family nights are scheduled on January 14, 15 and January 21, 22 at 19:45 - also two-tickets-for-the-price-of-one. The season must end on Saturday, February 16.
Book at Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on (021) 421-7695.
