BWW Reviews: Sport For Jove's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE gives the Shakespeare Classic a 1930's twist.

Wednesday 15 May 2015, New Block Lennox, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

Transporting Shakespeare's 16th Century story of money and greed to the 1930's gives a contemporary understanding to THE MERCHANT OF VENICE in this beautifully styled work. The wonderful balance of dark and lightness in the work is captured by the skilled cast as they combine the original language with contemporary voices and understanding of text.

Designer Anna Gardiner has dressed the black box space of the New Block Lennox at Riverside Theatres with frosted glass French doors and doorways at the rear of Lucilla Smith's circular parquetry stage, bordered by simple wooden benches. Gardiner has also kept the costumes simple and uses the attire to indicate changes in time, more specifically with the men's attire from the starting tailcoats to the changing lounge suits. The women's dresses do not vary aside from additions of accessories but show the status from the heiress Portia's belted lace dress, handmaiden Nerissa's cotton polkadot dress, servant Beatrice's reserved blouse and skirt and Shylock's daughter Jessica's extravagant sequined dress. David Stalley's sound design helps define the era with Al Dubin and Harry Warren's We're In the Money playing during the early scene changes.

Director Richard Cottrell's casting has ensured that the appropriate ages have been used, defining Antonio (James Lugton) as the older merchant, prepared to assist his younger friend Bassiano (Chris Stalley) by going guarantor on the loan from the old Shylock (John Turnbull). The characters are presented with early 20th Century Australian accent, still retaining some of the English formality whilst bringing an element of Australian familiarity.

Lugton captures Antonio's compassion to his friend as he agrees to help Bassiano procure the funds to woo Portia along with the fear of death as Shylock prepares to claim his pound of flesh. Turnbull creates a Shylock, that whilst written in a time when Shakespeare would have had little first-hand experience with Jewish people, captures a greedy man trapped in a world that shuns him for his faith and his occupation as a money lender with a resentful bitterness. Damien Strouthos gives Bassiano's friend Gratiano the requisite bold outspokenness as he taunts Shylock yet a submission as he is reunited with his wife Nerissa.

Lizzie Schebesta presents Portia with a confidence in all she undertakes and presented the famous role with power but also connection to the other performers and a mischievous streak as she shares silent jokes with her handmaiden. Erica Lovell captures Nerissa's loyalty along with a growing confidence to tease her new husband.

This is a delightful work that explores the issues of greed, hate, resentment, intolerance, vindictiveness, along with the need for mercy and compassion despite the fact that there may be deeper seated issues. Presented with simplicity, Shakespeare's words and how the actors interpret them become the focus, allowing the story to be told without the distraction of ornate and embellished design.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE: Video

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Riverside Theatre, Parramatta

7 0 16 May 2015

Seymour Centre, Sydney

22 - 30 May 2015

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