Ambition, power and political unrest will explode onto the stage at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre this October in the groundbreaking new production of one of Shakespeare’s thought-provoking classics.
The show will star Tracy-Ann Oberman as the first female Shylock, as the Merchant of Venice 1936 tour hits the local stage from October 24 to 28.
Audiences will be transported back in time to 1930s Britain to witness a city on the brink of political unrest, as fascism sweeps across Europe and Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists threaten a paramilitary march through the Jewish East End.
Amid the chaos stands Shylock, reimagined as a tough, no-nonsense Jewish matriarch. The strong-willed single mother (brilliantly portrayed by Eastenders, Doctor Who and Friday Night Dinner actress and English playwright, Tracy-Ann Oberman) runs a pawnbroking business from her house in Cable Street where Mosley will march. When charismatic, antisemitic aristocrat 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?
The production developed by Trafalgar Theatre Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions in association with HOME Manchester and with support from the Royal Shakespeare Company, embarks on its UK-wide tour from September 21. The show is directed and adapted by Brigid Larmour, who up until earlier this year was the artistic director and CEO of Watford Palace Theatre, from an idea by co-creator Tracy-Ann.
‘It has been a lifelong dream of mine to bring this play to the stage in a new way, reimagining Shylock as one of the tough, no-nonsense Jewish matriarchs I grew up around,” Tracy-Ann shares. ‘I’m delighted this project is finally happening and look forward to sparking debate and enlightening people about a pivotal but largely forgotten part of British history - just how close the establishment were to Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists. I can’t wait to take this important, sharp, sexy and heartfelt production to theatres around the country.’
Oberman’s own family history and 'tough as nails' female relatives and role models helped to inspire and unlock this reconceptualisation of Shakespeare’s controversial play. The new takes and perspectives highlighted will offer viewers a new lens through which to view past events, while also commenting on issues still relevant today.
Reprising their roles are Hannah Morrish (Father Brown) portraying Portia, Raymond Coulthard (Emmerdale) as Antonio and Arragon and Gavin Fowler (King Lear) as Bassanio. Also joining the cast are Jessica Dennis, Grainne Dromgoole, Xavier Starr, Priyank Morjaria and Alex Zur. Amid the show’s talented creative team are also the works of Liz Cooke (costume and set design), Rory Beaton (lighting design) and Sarah Weltman (sound design). Erran Baron Cohen is the composer.
Before beginning the tour, the production opened to glowing reviews at Watford’s Palace Theatre earlier this year and was cited as ‘striking and impactful’ by The Guardian and a show that ‘makes theatre history’ by The Daily Telegraph.
The Merchant of Venice 1936 production arrives at Churchill Theatre in Bromley from October 24 to October 28.
For listing information and to buy tickets, visit merchantofvenice1936.co.uk.
