Wick Theatre Company are never shy about sticking their neck out. So we shouldn’t be surprised that they took on ‘The Merchant Of Venice’ which – for a modern audience – is one of Shakespeare’s most awkward plays.
Shylock (Dan Dryer) is a Jewish money lender in the era before banks were around to offer loans. Antonio (Guy Steddon), meanwhile, is a need of a bit of cash for some of his overseas trading that’s been becalmed across the ocean. It could have been a business partnership made in heaven.
But Shakespeare’s script portrays Shylock, the outsider, in a stereotypical way as greedy and vengeful. When Antonio offers a pound of his own flesh to the allegedly mean Shylock – as a form of extra security on the loan – it may have all gone too far.
Will Shylock enforce that claim? What part of Antonio’s body might be taken? But, if Antonio is harmed in any way then it will be Shylock, as the outsider, who would be punished or forced to convert to Christianity.
Still, ‘flesh’ may have a double meaning here. Antonio’s best mate, Bassanio (Sam Razzavi), is rather keen on a well-off woman called Portia (Nicola Russel). ‘Basso’ would be set up for life if Portia said “I do!” But the women in this play turn out to be pretty cool and one step ahead. So Portia and her mate Nerissa (Susanne Crosby), disguised as blokes, sail off smartly for a good time in Venice.
The rapid scene changes, coloured costumes (Lindsay Midali and Maggi Pierce) and lights (Martin Oakley, Torrin Gieler) create subtle backdrops to the action. There’s a nod to contemporary times with a sign on stage announcing ‘Lock Financial Solutions’. Then the women challenge the noble prince to choose one of three pretty caskets to open. It’s like an afternoon on Brighton pier. Find your fortune! You might get lucky! Oh dear, someone’s just won an old skull.
This production, at the Barn Theatre in Southwick, is a long way from being a play that is acted out solely beneath a proscenium arch. So there is a lively movement of actors coming from the front or sides or moving through the back of the audience, subtly unsettling us.
Sam Razavi, the director, reminds us in the programme to ask – as generations of critics have asked before – “is this a play about antisemitism or is it an antisemitic play?” This question is taken seriously. Towards the end the performance segues in brief, but bold, quick film clips of political protests from recent history. These seek to illuminate commitments to a society based on justice and freedom while opposing racism and anti-Semitism.
Brave, bold and contentious: A story for, and of, our times.
Barn Theatre Southwick, Thursday 9th March 2023
Photos by Miles Davies
