The Merchant of Venice 1936
28 Feb - 11 Mar 2023
Watford Palace Theatre presents a ground-breaking production of Shakespeare’s classic, The Merchant of Venice, directed by Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Brigid Larmour, and starring Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock.
It is London in 1936 – fascism is sweeping across Europe, and Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists is threatening to march through the Jewish East End.
Shylock (Tracy-Ann Oberman – Eastenders, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner) is a survivor of anti-Semitic pogroms in Russia. A widow, she runs a small business from her dark and cramped terraced house in Cable Street, hoping to give daughter Jessica a better future.
When aristocratic anti-semite Antonio desperately needs a loan, he makes a dangerous bargain with this woman he has spat on in the street. Will Shylock, bitter from a life plagued by racism and abuse, take her revenge?
A vivid evocation of our history, and a warning for our times.
Captioned performance: Thursday 9th March 19:30 (please contact the Box Office on 01923 225 671 if you require the use of captions).
Audio-described performance: TBC (please contact the Box Office on 01923 225 671 if you require Audio Description).
Relaxed performance: TBC – date to be announced in due course
