Details

The Merchant of Venice portrays an emotional tale encompassing friendship, romance, religion and business. Set in the very near future amidst political and financial chaos, society, as we know it, is on the brink of collapse. The stock markets are flat lining; the Euro has collapsed, creating an increasingly cutthroat trading environment for the business community. Venice, with its gondolas, opera and beautiful skies is no longer safe... Meanwhile, beautiful, wealthy Portia finds herself the star of her very own reality TV show, with men playing a ?Game of Chance' in a battle to win her love. Desperate to help best friend Bassanio win Portia's hand, fledgling businessman Antonio enters a perilous arrangement with Jewish moneylender Shylock, as he promises a pound of his own flesh. Antonio learns a hard lesson when the revenge-seeking Shylock comes to collect his bond.
Performers Philip Madoc, Brian Hibbard, Heledd Baskerville, Llinos Daniel, Simon Armstrong, Bill Bellamy, Brendan Charleson, Kath Dimery, Russell Gomer, Phylip Harries, Ray Llewellyn, Siwan Morris, Nickie Rainsford, Jonathan Nefydd, Ieuan Rhys, Morgan Rhys, Dorien Thomas.
Author Shakespeare. Producer Ludlow Festival. Director Michael Bogdanov. Design Chris Dye. Lighting Chris Ellis. Sound John Leonard.