OXFORD GUILD PRODUCTION SPECIAL

"The Merchant of Venice"

by William Shakespeare

Directed by Gerard Gould for the Oxford Guild

Exeter College Fellows Garden till 24th July 2004.

A most effective production of this most powerful of plays, particularly apposite in this time of simmering international racial tensions. Shylock, a one man usurer in the Financial Services industry in Venice, downtrodden, insulted and spat upon by the merchant class, spots an opportunity to square his accounts.

Nick Quartley makes a superb Shylock. His portrayal is a moving blend of the embittered, Ghettoised Jew, and a moneylender anxious to retain the custom of his hypocritical clients.

His speech protesting that even a Jewish moneylender is human …… 'if you prick us do we not bleed' was pitched beautifully. But then this was a night for memorable speeches. Anna Glynn as Portia, particularly in her court scene, spoke a faultless 'The quality of mercy is not strain'd', both characters so very sensitively cast.

Bassanio, played well by James Reilly, is always suitably smitten and he contrasts well with the boisterous Gratiano. At times I thought Tim Younger, great fun as the loud, hyperactive Gratiano, was under the impression that he had an audience in Wadham gardens too!

Shakespeare wrapped this painful tale of prejudice and double standards in a romantic knock about involving some eighteen characters, and Director Gerard Gould has ensured that not a glazed-eyed line delivery was made, every player fully understanding as well as knowing his/her part.

The production has the enormous benefit of being staged in one of the most beautiful gardens in Oxford. By the end of the evening, as natural light fades and the back drop of stone and greenery are lit, the space has a sense of magic about it.

For all the seeming fun and lightness of the text, and some sweet singing too, the tale slips so many disquieting thoughts into the mind. The way Venetian society revels in the betrayal by Jessica of her father's culture, her 'amusing' common thievery of his assets accrued against all the odds, the aside by Portia 'let all of his complexion choose me so' i.e. no coloureds please.

The text is peppered with wince-making phrases, no wonder some producers fight shy of staging it, but with the world dangerously riven by prejudice and exploitation it's time to examine these issues openly. Congratulations then to The Oxford Theatre Guild for putting on this thought provoking, yet highly entertaining production.

Reviewed by Don Fathers for Theatreworld Internet Magazine

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