Brigid Larmour News

Revival of 1935 play could have much relevance to today, but cannot find a route out of slow and dated writing

The Finborough Theatre will present a new London production of THE OLD LADIES, the drama by Rodney Ackland based on the novel by Hugh Walpole. See rehearsal photos.

A hit in the West End and on Broadway when  it premiered in 1935, The Old Ladies, a classic drama from acclaimed playwright Rodney Ackland in its first London production for over 30 years opens at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre.

A hit in the West End and on Broadway when it premiered in 1935, The Old Ladies, a classic drama from acclaimed playwright Rodney Ackland in its first London production for over 30 years opens at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre.

Finborough Theatre has announced its March–July 2026 season in London. The programme includes THE OLD LADIES, the world premiere of FOAL, and the English premiere of SOLDIERS OF TOMORROW.

Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts are getting a foothold in London’s East End. Shylock, here a single parent, requests a pound of flesh from Antonio, part of Mosley’s aficionados, in order to clear his debts. The demands of the Jewish moneylender who’s endlessly abused in public by the same people who require her services immediately gain further nuance in Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann Oberman.

After a successful run at the Criterion Theatre earlier this year, The Merchant of Venice 1936, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s work by Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann Oberman, with Oberman starring as a female version of the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Larmour and Oberman have moved the setting to London in the 1930s, when fascism was on the rise with Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts, culminating in the Battle of Cable Street on 4 October 1936.

Following a season at the Criterion Theatre and a sold-out UK tour, Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner), will return to the West End to reprise her starring role from as the first British actress to play Shylock in the critically acclaimed production of The Merchant of Venice 1936 from December this year.

London Theatre Week is the West End’s biggest promotion, giving you the chance to see over 50 amazing award-winning musicals and stunning plays with tickets from £15, £25 or £35

Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936, direct from the RSC. 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), from acclaimed director Brigid Larmour.

Following its critically acclaimed UK tour, The Merchant of Venice 1936 transfers to London’s West End for a limited season at the Criterion Theatre, from 15 February – 23 March.

Wilton's Music Hall has announced its stunning autumn season, which sees ground-breaking productions, and collaborations with forward-thinking theatre companies. Continuing what has been an incredible year of theatre for Britain's oldest Victorian music hall, this new season is set to be one of the best yet.

Casting has been announced for a ground-breaking new production which transports one of Shakespeare’s most enduring classics to 1930’s Britain – The Merchant of Venice 1936 - which will embark on a UK tour this Autumn, beginning at the RSC’s Swan Theatre from Thursday 21 September. 

Erica Whyman has announced details of her final season of work as Acting Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) ahead of her stepping down this month. 

A bold and accessible Merchant that commits to exposing the antisemitism that suffuses the play

Leading actor and writer Tracy-Ann Oberman will reinvent the role of Shylock in the hotly anticipated production directed by Brigid Larmour, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Watford Palace Theatre. Check out photos here!

The Merchant of Venice 1936, Watford Palace Theatre’s ground-breaking new production of one of Shakespeare’s most enduring classics starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner), as Shylock, will embark on a UK tour this Autumn, beginning at the RSC’s Swan Theatre from Thursday 21 September. 

Brigid Larmour has announced she will be stepping down from her role as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Watford Palace Theatre in Spring 2023. 

Casting has been announced for The Merchant of Venice, coming to Watford Palace Theatre and HOME Manchester in 2023.

​​​​​​​Comedy, children's shows and adaptations of classics are the flavour of Spring 2023 at Watford Palace Theatre. Learn more about the full upcoming lineup of shows here!