The Merchant of Venice 1936
Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936, direct from selling out the RSC and London’s West End.
Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (Eastenders, Doctor Who) as Shylock, Shakespeare’s classic is transported to 1930s Britain in this “striking and impactful” (Guardian) new production that “makes theatre history” (The Telegraph) set against the backdrop of The Battle of Cable Street. It is adapted by Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann Oberman.
The perfect example of how to do Shakespeare”
★★★★★ Metro
Tensions in London’s East End are rising. The British Union of Fascists, led by Oswald Moseley, are gaining in numbers, and a wave of fascism and intolerance is flooding across Europe. Shylock, a resilient single mother and hard-working businesswoman, is desperate to protect her daughter’s future. When the charismatic merchant Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge, and who will pay the ultimate price?
If you prick us do we not bleed?
If you poison us do we not die?
And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?”
Don’t miss this unforgettable, electrifying new production of The Merchant of Venice, a “fascinating and timely” (Daily Mail) reminder of a key moment in British history.
Price
From £19.50
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Presented by
Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions and Alan Howard, in association with The Royal Shakespeare Company, present The Watford Palace Theatre & HOME Manchester production
Written By
William Shakespeare
Directed By
Brigid Larmour
Age Guidance
12+
Please note, no under 5s will be admitted to the auditorium.
Running Time
Approximately 2 hours including an interval
Content Advice
This is an adaptation of the original text, which contains themes of racism, including anti-Semitism.
The production also contains scenes of threat and Nazi symbols.
This production will also contain the use of Haze.
Access
Audio Described: Sat 5 Apr, 2.30pm (described by Carolyn Smith)
A Free Touch Tour is available to book at 1.30pm before the Audio Described performance.
Fees & Charges
Please note there is a transaction fee of £3.50 on all payment types.
Venue
Production Photos
Photography by Marc Brenner at The Trafalgar Theatre, West End.
Photography by Marc Brenner at The Trafalgar Theatre, West End.
Photography by Marc Brenner at The Trafalgar Theatre, West End.
Cast
Shylock
Tracy-Ann Oberman
Tracy-Ann Oberman
Joseph Millson
Theatre Credits Include: The Forsyte Saga (Park Theatre); Noises Off (Theatre Royal Bath, National Tour and Phoenix Theatre); Betrayal (Theatre Royal Bath); Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre); Keith (Arcola Theatre); Apologia (Trafalgar Studios); The Rover, Much Ado About Nothing, King John, The Dog in the Manger, The House of Desires and Pedro, The Great Pretender (Royal Shakespeare Company); Mr Foote’s Other Leg (Hampstead Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket); Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe); Rocket to the Moon, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and Pillars of the Community (National Theatre); Love Never Dies (Adelphi Theatre); The Priory and Fear and Misery (Royal Court Theatre); Judgement Day (Almeida Theatre); Hamlet (Stafford Festival Shakespeare); The Fairy Queen (Glyndebourne Festival Opera); Cinderella (The Old Vic); Richard II (Ludlow Festival and Festival Internacional de Teatro Clásico de Almagro); As You Like It (Peter Hall Company and National and International Tours); The Seagull, Cold Meat Party (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester); Twelfth Night, Henry V, The Borrowers (Storyhouse, Chester); The Lifted Veil (National Tour); The Clearing, The Mill on the Floss (Shared Experience); Monogamy (Riverside Studios); Gasping, The Talented Mr Ripley (Palace Theatre, Watford); The Real Inspector Hound/ Black Comedy (Harold Pinter Theatre); David Copperfield (Greenwich Theatre and Crucible Theatre, Sheffield); The Fantasticks (King’s Head Theatre); Artaud at Rodez (Finborough Theatre); The Beaux’ Stratagem (Cannizaro Park Open Air Theatre); Cinderella (Buxton Opera House); Romeo and Juliet, Four Nights in Knaresborough, Salad Days, The Rivals, Loot, The Dramatist and David Copperfield – The Musical (National Tours).
Film Credits Include: The Amateur, Two Neighbours, Hard Home, Empire of Lies, River Of Blood, Christmas at Plumhill Manor, War Blade, Prancer: A Christmas Tale, Creation Stories, Angel Has Fallen, Dragonheart Vengeance, All the Devil’s Men, Tango One, The Chameleon, The Dead 2: India, I Give It a Year, Casino Royale, Devil’s Bridge, Telstar, Abraham’s Point, S.N.U.B, Burning Men, Fyre Rises, Magnificent Eleven.
Television Credits Include: Protection, Moon Knight, Van der Valk, Colosseum, The Chelsea Detective, Endeavour, The Last Kingdom, Catch-22, Ransom, Eight Days That Made Rome, Banished, 24: Live Another Day, Penny Dreadful, Grantchester, Law & Order: UK, Queens of Mystery, Holby City, Campus, Enid, Macbeth, Ashes to Ashes, Survivors, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Talk to Me, Midsomer Murders, Reunited, New Tricks, The Ghost Squad, Mount Pleasant, The Romantics, Harley Street, In Exile, Dressing for Breakfast, Doctors, EastEnders, Peak Practice.
Georgie Fellows
Training: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Theatre Credits Include: Georgie most recently played the title role in Sappho (Southwark Playhouse); Henry I (Rabble Theatre); The Living Newspaper (Royal Court).
Film and Television Credits Include: Surface (Apple TV+); The Day of the Jackal (Sky); Red, White & Royal Blue (Amazon); Secret Invasion (Marvel/Disney+).
Gavin Fowler
Gavin was a winner of the SOLT’s Olivier Bursary award, previously nominated for an Ian Charleson Award for two roles and winner of Best Actor at the National Student Drama Festival. He was a member of NYT, playing Shylock in Merchant of Venice, and gratefully stayed at Angela Pleasence’s brick shed whilst at RADA.
Training: RADA
Theatre Credits Include: Filumena (Theatre Royal Windsor & UK Tour); Accolade (Theatre Royal Windsor & UK Tour); The Merchant of Venice 1936 (Criterion Theatre, RSC & UK Tour); Henry V (GSC); A Christmas Carol (RSC); Alls Well Ends Well, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Robin Hood (GSC); Dorian Gray (Richmond & Tour); Troilus & Cressida, Salome, The Winters Tale, The Taming of the Shrew (RSC); King Lear (ATG); First Episode (Jermyn Street); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (MGC/West End); The Sydicate, Dr Faustus (Chichester Festival Theatre); Too Much Pressure (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry)
Television Credits Include: Coloseum (October Films); Clan of the Cavebear (Fox); Penny Dreadful Season 1 (Showtime); Margot and Mez and Count Arthur Strong’s Entertainment Game (Talkback Thames); Merchant of Venice (BBC).
Film Credits Include: Repeat, Neville Rumble (Body in the Box); Delight (Scenario films); The Vintage (Eyeline Entertainment).
Short-Film Credits Include: Can’t Hide It, Nighttide (Body in the Box).
Evie Hargreaves
Training: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Theatre credits include: Too Much World At Once (Box Of Tricks); SCRUMPTIOUS! (Beggars Belief Collective); Clomping About (Goofus).
Television credits include: Vera (ITV); Virdee (BBC); Doctors (BBC).
Gráinne Dromgoole
Training: National Youth Theatre, Oxford School of Drama
Theatre Credits Include: Deadheads (Assembly George Square); Ripe Tomato (VAULT Festival); The Dance of Death (Arcola Theatre); Baby, What Blessings (Old Red Lion Theatre); 39 and Counting (Park Theatre); Walk Swiftly and With Purpose (Theatre503); Romeo and Juliet (Cambridge Arts Theatre).
Radio Credits Include: In the Absence of Geoff (BBC3); The Night They Tried to Kidnap the Prime Minister (BBC4); Crooked House (BBC4).
Xavier Starr
Training: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Theatre Credits Include: Merchant of Venice 1936 (Watford Palace Theatre, UK Tour, Criterion Theatre);The Mechanicals Presents… Julius Caesar or Macbeth (Play Nicely Theatre); The Incredibly Scary Object (Jack Studio Theatre).
Film Credits Include: Parablesque (Patrick Productions).
Mikhail Sen
Training: Drama Centre
Theatre Credits Include: The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre); Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company); Hell Yes I’m Tough Enough (Park Theatre); Finish This (English National Opera); Taj Express (Sadlers Wells, Peacock Theatre, US Tour); Foundation: 1918 (Front of House Theatre Company); Four Play (Eventful, Muscat Oman); Jakhoo Hill (Playpen Theatre Group); Flypaper Trap (Rage Theatre); Legend of Lovers (Theatre Group).
Film Credits Include: Ghanimah (MediaWorx); Code/Switch (Code Switch Productions); The Can (Left Field Pictures); Mango Souffle (Lotus Productions); Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company).
Television Credits Include: House of the Dragon (HBO); Good Karma Hospital (Tiger Aspect/ITV); A Suitable Boy (BBC).
Alex Zur
Training: Drama Studio London, East 15 Acting School
Theatre Credits Include: The Great Gatsby (European Tour); Hamlet (Southwark Playhouse); Macbeth (Young Shakespeare Company); A Level Playing Field (Riverside Studios); Edward II (Greenwich Theatre).
Television /Radio Credits Include: Casualty (BBC Studios); Yentl the Yeshiva Boy (BBC Radio 4); Cucumber (Channel 4).
Elly Roberts
Training: Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Film and Television Credits Include: Sex Education (Eleven/Netflix); Black Cake (Hulu/Harpo/Kapital), Girls Night (Margaux Comte).