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Theatre

The Merchant of Venice, Almeida

05 Dec 14 – 14 Feb 15, 7:30 PM – 10:20 PM

The lights of Las Vegas are illuminating Islington with Almeida artistic director Rupert Goold’s bold and divisive version of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. 

By Lucy Brooks on 12/9/2014

1 CW reader is interested
The Merchant of Venice, Almeida
The Merchant of Venice, Almeida
The Merchant of Venice, Almeida The Merchant of Venice, Almeida Lucy Brooks
While most of the cast from the 2011 RSC run of the show will return, Sir Patrick Stuart will not be reprising his role as Shylock. Ian McDiarmid (former artistic director of the Almedia best known for his role as Palpatine in Star Wars) will take to the stage instead, alongside Susannah Fielding and Scott Handy reprising their roles as Portia and Antonia.  
We saw the show at its first outing in Stratford. The flashy glitz divided critics, and with its big production numbers, Elvis impersonator, and American accents, this is most certainly not Shakespeare at its most traditional. While we thought that the subtleties of Shakespeare's iambic pentameter were somewhat lost in the attempts at American accents (some convincing, others am-dram), we were impressed by the way in which the Vegas theme shed new light on the play's themes. Portia’s casket scenes are presented as a game show, giving her speech to Bassanio about artifice and the revelation of one’s true self a whole new, and utterly believable, dimension.  
Genuine risk-taking in Shakespearean adaptations is rare, and we are very glad that this bold production is getting a second life in London. If you're a Shakespeare purist, steer clear, but if you fancy something little more experimental this an eye-opening adaptation.


Click here to read our review.


What The Merchant of Venice, Almeida
Where Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, Islington, London, N1 1TA | MAP
Nearest tube Angel (underground)
When 05 Dec 14 – 14 Feb 15, 7:30 PM – 10:20 PM
Price £9-£36
Website Click here for more information and to book via the Almeida



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  • What the critics say

    THE GUARDIAN

    "the whole point of this daring and innovative production is that Shakespeare's play itself takes us into an imaginary dreamscape in which reality eventually intrudes. And, although Goold's production is bound to cause argument, Las Vegas seems a perfect metaphor for a world of financial and romantic fantasy."

    Michael Billington

    THE INDEPENDENT

    "The production is an audacious gamble that largely pays off."

    Paul Taylor

    Practical

    ABOUT THE ALMEIDA THEATRE

    The Almeida has a formidable reputation for producing new work, boasting international clout and regularly attracting the biggest names in theatre. The building was recently taken over by artistic director Rupert Goold, who comes fresh from eight years as artistic director of critically acclaimed touring theatre company Headlong. The building is situated at the heart of a buzzing theatre scene in Islington, alongside other venues such as Sadler’s Wells, the Old Red Lion, the Little Angel Theatre and the King’s Head.

    The Almeida new season

    This new season is united by an examination of worth and value against capitalist concepts. Along with this RSC transfer, there's Game, a world premiere from Mike Bartlett, the London outing of Simon Stephen's newest play, Carmen Disruption (which reimagines Bizet's opera), a site-specific Wallace Shawn monologue, The Fever , at May Fair Hotel and a madcap Merchant of Venice relocated to Vegas, directed by Rupert Goold.

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We recommend nearby

  • Ottolenghi, Islington

    Supper fare at Ottolenghi includes the likes of pan-fried octopus and slow-roasted Cabrito goat, with a wide range of vegetarian options inspired by the flavours of the Mediterranean and Near East. They don't take bookings, though, so we recommend getting in early.

    Book Map
1

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