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Post by Jan on Mar 6, 2020 13:24:29 GMT
Sorry but I seem to have hijacked this thread away from Tracy Ann Oberman as Shylock! No, just gone in a fascinating direction with it is all  . Quite. As this production hasn’t opened yet we are just the support act entertaining the audience before the main event. At one point Trader Faulkner felt that he had been slighted by Trevor Nunn who had not offered him work, here is his magnanimous explanation: “That was the last I ever saw of him {Trevor Nunn}. I regret still that we never really worked together. I admire his work as a theatre and opera director. He and Peter Hall have followed similar career paths, and when you’re in those powerful positions no consideration can be given to secondary issues like friendship or loyalty.” |
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Post by Jan on Nov 20, 2021 16:50:37 GMT
This production which was postponed due to COVID is being revived in early 2023. I read a comment up the thread about whether given her lack of Shakespeare experience Shylock was a good choice for her. I was reminded of when Dustin Hoffman approached Peter Hall for his first (I think) Shakespeare role and suggested Hamlet. Hall was horrified and using all his diplomatic skills steered him towards Shylock instead which they eventually staged in the West End. The role of Hamlet has 1476 lines. Do you know how many lines Shylock has ? Have a guess .... 79 |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Nov 20, 2021 17:55:49 GMT
The costumes from the Hoffman production were donated to the wardrobe I used to run. Hoffman was tiny!
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Post by londonpostie on Nov 20, 2021 18:02:22 GMT
This production which was postponed due to COVID is being revived in early 2023.
God, I adore TAO. She could read my Council Tax demands and I'd weep with joy: sign me up!
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Post by lynette on Nov 20, 2021 20:49:02 GMT
This production which was postponed due to COVID is being revived in early 2023. I read a comment up the thread about whether given her lack of Shakespeare experience Shylock was a good choice for her. I was reminded of when Dustin Hoffman approached Peter Hall for his first (I think) Shakespeare role and suggested Hamlet. Hall was horrified and using all his diplomatic skills steered him towards Shylock instead which they eventually staged in the West End. The role of Hamlet has 1476 lines. Do you know how many lines Shylock has ? Have a guess .... 79 Interesting this isn’t it because one of the qs people ask is who is the Merchant of Venice, Antonio or Shylock. I don't think Willie was too bothered about titles ( Henry 1, Henry II Henry III ) but it is a good question. You could almost take it as a critique of the whole mercantile system in Venice, the commercial attitude of the people, the way women are in fact chattels to be given by fathers etc. Great stuff. Shylock’s lines are pretty good, meaty stuff. He does actually weigh up the value of cash against his daughter. It is brilliantly done . Stating the obvious here but in so few lines. |
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Post by kate8 on Nov 8, 2022 21:13:23 GMT
This is at Watford Palace Feb-March and then HOME Manchester.
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Post by Rory on Nov 8, 2022 21:46:59 GMT
Is Tracy-Ann Oberman leaving Noises Off early then?
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Post by profquatermass on Nov 8, 2022 21:58:13 GMT
Im sure Ive seen a female Shylock at the Globe - in one of those stripped down touring productions
This one vould be great
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Post by Jan on Nov 9, 2022 7:04:15 GMT
I see the RSC are somehow connected to this production.
"Erica Whyman, acting Artistic Director of the RSC says "The RSC has been privileged to play a small part in the development of this passionate project, which is such a timely reading of Shakespeare's play. I have no doubt that Merchant 1936 will be an urgent and powerful event in the theatre, revealing the painful injustice of our own time as well as a very important piece of our history.""
Originally it was supposed to be playing Kingston too but no confirmation of that this time.
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Post by kate8 on Nov 9, 2022 8:31:26 GMT
Is Tracy-Ann Oberman leaving Noises Off early then? She must be missing at least the last two weeks of Noises Off. |
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Post by zahidf on Mar 20, 2023 11:18:32 GMT
At Wiltons music Hall 7 - 11 November
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2023 17:19:32 GMT
At Wiltons music Hall 7 - 11 November Great venue. Cable street v near the Music Hall and the interior should provide very atmospheric effect. It will be like the actors are people coming off the streets of the very place T-A O is referencing. |
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Post by londonpostie on Mar 20, 2023 17:43:35 GMT
At Wiltons music Hall 7 - 11 November
Thanks.
I'm in for Friday. Short run, selling well. Def one to catch.
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Post by Steve on Mar 20, 2023 23:31:18 GMT
That's a very short run for this, and it's worth it! I saw it at Watford Palace, and I loved it, for how unique it is, and for what it has to say. Some spoilers follow. . . The material Shakespeare intended to be funny isn't funny in this, so don't book a ticket for the jokes. There is just no way you can laugh it up in approbation with people wearing Fascist uniforms in 1936. Some of the comedy has been abridged and that which remains doesn't play as funny, but as sinister. That said, this felt like a genuinely original take, bringing the action home to London, with Mosley at his zenith. Antonio's seeming gentleness and charm is especially sinister, when he's got his armband on, putting me in mind of prominent Nazis who also considered themselves cultured and refined (with a side of genocide, of course). I had stage seats at the Palace, and I don't see stage seats on sale here. Those seats had a special function and meaning at the Palace, so I wonder whether there will be stage seats for this, or whether the function and meaning will be transmitted in another way. At the end, Tracy-Ann Oberman took my hand and asked for support, from myself and the other 9 stage seats, against Mosley's Fascists. We formed a line and helped hold a banner opposing the Fascists, and the theme revealed itself that the only way to stop fascism from rising again, is, of course, for good people to join in speaking out against it. I was overwhelmed with tears. It's a key part of what makes the production distinctive and special. 4 stars from me. |
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Post by showgirl on Mar 22, 2023 4:32:48 GMT
I also saw this in Watford recently and am sure the London date has only just been announced as though at the time there were references to a tour to follow, only the Stratford run had been listed. Watford would still have been the easier travel option for me than Wiltons - and a better space imo.
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Post by david on Mar 25, 2023 22:24:37 GMT
First show of my Manchester weekend. Having previously only seen the Jonathan Pyrce / RSC version on tour when it played at the Liverpool Playhouse, this new version running at MCR HOME from Brigid Larmour and TAO really was a great watch. Moving the plot to 1936 London was a great idea and as the creatives noted in the programme notes it allows an examination of the social and political issues surrounding antisemitism and prejudice. The use of video projections (as well as the use of the on stage audience members at the end) help to reinforce the message and the experience of the real life people connected to the Battle of Cable St and the people associated with Mosley. It really is powerful stuff to watch over the 2hr run time and Steve noted, with this version, the humour that has been retained from the original text has been curtailed and has more darker meaning here. For me it certainly gave me food for thought to chew over and to do further rereading on post show. Rating - 4⭐️ |
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Post by Jan on Nov 8, 2023 7:16:27 GMT
This is now at Wiltons. It is very good and worth seeing. As is fashionable these days it is cut heavily to 2hrs which includes an interval. They have done this mostly by compressing scenes rather than cutting them although the character of Old Gobbo has been eliminated which is a big plus in my book. The reduced running time doesn't really detract from the play at all.
Other than that it is a rather conventional almost old-fashioned production - it reminded me of Trevor Nunn's 1999 NT production set in 1930s Berlin. Shylock is presented as a sympathetic character and everyone else isn't and that is just an extreme case of the usual modern interpretation - the one production I remember where Shylock was presented as an out-and-out villain swiftly ran into problems. It is very well acted throughout with a good set and costumes.
Personally I could have done without the framing device and curtain speech but I suppose as the theatre has had to employ visible extra security at the door for this one it is relevant in a way they couldn't have imagined when the production was conceived.
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Post by Jon on Nov 11, 2023 12:45:02 GMT
Given Trafalgar is one of the producers, I wonder if a run at the Trafalgar Theatre could work? It has sold very well at both Wilton's and Watford.
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 11, 2023 14:08:58 GMT
It sold very badly in Bromley though, so I'm not sure that a London run really is all that likely.
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Post by Mr Snow on Nov 13, 2023 20:10:46 GMT
This is now at Wiltons. It is very good and worth seeing. As is fashionable these days it is cut heavily to 2hrs which includes an interval. They have done this mostly by compressing scenes rather than cutting them although the character of Old Gobbo has been eliminated which is a big plus in my book. The reduced running time doesn't really detract from the play at all. Other than that it is a rather conventional almost old-fashioned production - it reminded me of Trevor Nunn's 1999 NT production set in 1930s Berlin. Shylock is presented as a sympathetic character and everyone else isn't and that is just an extreme case of the usual modern interpretation - the one production I remember where Shylock was presented as an out-and-out villain swiftly ran into problems. It is very well acted throughout with a good set and costumes. Personally I could have done without the framing device and curtain speech but I suppose as the theatre has had to employ visible extra security at the door for this one it is relevant in a way they couldn't have imagined when the production was conceived. Agreed. After seeing to many polite and reverential Shakespeare productions, this one had real punch to it. However As someone said above, the characters wearing Nazi armbands were dangerous and seductive, whereas the projected images were way to obvious. At Wiltons with the final curtain Ms Oberman made a speech which made several references to the "Battle of Cable Street and Oswold Mosley. Either the following guys are wrong podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oswald-mosley-fascist-leader/id1537788786?i=1000629007957or she was incorrect to say e.g. The battle was not the beginning of the end for the Blackshirts they had been in decline for a few years and indeed it gave them a sort of afterlife in the east end. Mosley and Hitler were not friends. The conceited Mosley rather looked down on Hitler. The fighting was between the anti-fascist protesters and the police (sound familiar/). The two rival marchers never met. Now, perhaps more than ever accuracy is important. Reservations above aside, a worthwhile night out. Congratulations on a brave production. |
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Post by threeletteracronym on Nov 30, 2023 12:25:50 GMT
Saw this earlier on in the week - really enjoyed it, probably the third time I've seen Merchant of Venice (with very long intervals between so I dont claim to know it particularly well). I was grateful that it was cut (2hrs incl interval) but cant remember what was missing. I dont really like it as a play, the anti-semitism is too strong however much productions have tried to make it more palatable. I was tempted by this one because of the 1930s setting (I havent seen the Trevor Nunn 2001 film, which is remiss of me) and I wanted to see Tracy Ann Oberman's take on it.
TAO was off, unfortunately, as I was really looking forward to seeing her, but her replacement did an excellent job. I think Steve's comments from March are spot on. Parts of it were genuinely chilling. And there's a real disjunct between the non-Jewish characters who are often likeable - right up until they put on those armbands. I found that quite stomach-churning but agree there's a risk that it could make them seem 'acceptable'. Shylock was very understandably a bitter and angry person. Basically I didnt like any of them!
Shylock as a woman worked well for me and the programme had an interesting article about Licoricia of Winchester - whom I'd never heard of - which provides an historical context.
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Post by Rory on Dec 13, 2023 15:11:48 GMT
👀
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Post by Dave B on Dec 19, 2023 10:38:10 GMT
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 19, 2023 11:11:54 GMT
Works as a slot filler I guess in the same vein of The Way Old Friends Do did - not a big lead in time though so imagine there'll be lots of offers to get bums on seats
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Post by Rory on Dec 19, 2023 12:17:31 GMT
I wonder if it's a short six week run as the Criterion has something else lined up for April, when Unbelievable had been due to finish?
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Post by Marwood on Feb 25, 2024 17:44:39 GMT
I saw the matinee performance of this yesterday (£35 for a front row seat through London Theatre Week): I think I might have seen a filmed version many years ago but this was certainly the first time I’d seen it on a stage: I enjoyed it a lot, and I couldn’t believe the anti semitism on show but something like this is more relevant now than at any point in the last 80 years but as with so many things these days the people in positions of power just look the other way and do nothing but as we’ve seen in recent years, antisemitism is coming back in a big way but is treated as a taboo subject and no one goes out of their way to do anything about it.
Anyway, sitting in the front row, me and a few people were asked to go on stage for the closing scene (a brief reenactment of the Battle Of Cable Street): thankfully we didn’t get given any lines to embarrass ourselves by mangling , just joining in with the chant ‘they shall not pass!’ A couple of the actors thanked me for going up on stage but it was so dark in there I could only see the first couple of rows and I can now go to the grave knowing I’ve been on stage in a West End show 🤣
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