The Merchant of Venice

Synopsis/Company

Written around 1596 and the first Shakespeare to be preformed professionally in America (New York, 1752). A man needs money to pursue a rich heiress (Portia) and approaches his friend Antonio - but unable to lend it Antonio approaches the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Shylock hates Antonio because of his Christian contempt for usury so offers a contract wherebty if the money is not repaid he may take a pound of flesh instead. The quality of mercy is not strained as Shylock is foiled out of his pound of flesh by Portia dressed as a man. A dark comedy exploring greed and racism. From Tel Aviv, Israel. The Habima is the centre of Hebrew-language theatre worldwide. Founded in Moscow after in 1913, the company toured the world before eventually settling in Tel Aviv in the late 1920s. Since 1958, they have been recognised as the National Theatre of Israel. This production, of one of Shakespeare s most controversial and most human plays, is their first visit to the United Kingdom. Performed in Hebrew. Part of Globe to Globe 2012 - World Shakespeare Festival


Author Shakespeare. Company Habima National Theatre.

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