The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice in Malta, Theatre Malta, 23.07.2014 - 30.07.2014

Description:

It is again time to enjoy a cool summer evening in the idyllic gardens of San Anton appreciating the genius of William Shakespeare with The Merchant of Venice directed by Joe Friggieri.

The Bard presents a seamless canvas of romantic comedy and drama with heightened tensions of racial and cultural differences that still resonate today. 

Antonio, the merchant of Venice lends three thousand ducats to his friend Bassanio so he can woo the wealthy and beautiful Portia. However he has to borrow the money from the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Failure to repay the loan on the agreed date entitles Shylock to a pound of Antonio's flesh.

Meanwhile, Portia's father decrees that she’s to marry whoever makes the correct choice from three caskets. Bassanio succeeds were wealthy suitors from Morocco and Aragon fail and marries Portia while at the same time his friend Gratiano marries Portia's lady-in-waiting Nerissa.

News arrives that Antonio is unable to pay his debt as his ships are lost at sea and Shylock claims his pound of flesh in the law court before the Duke. Unknown to their husbands, Portia disguises as a young male lawyer and defends Antonio together Nerissa as her clerk.

Portia ingeniously agrees that Shylock is entitled to his pound of flesh but, not a drop of Antonio's blood. She further argues that the Jew should be punished for having conspired against the life of a Venetian.

Shylock is pardoned on condition that he gives half his wealth to Antonio and half to the state. Antonio surrenders his claim on condition that Shylock converts to Christianity and leaves his property to his disinherited daughter Jessica. Finally there is good news about Antonio's ships.

Leading the cast are Manuel Cauchi as Shylock, Coryse Borg as Portia, Michael Mangion as Antonio and Philip Leone Ganado as Bassanio, together with John Marinelli, Joe Zammit, Steve Hili, Francesca Briffa,Luke Mercieca, Joe Depasquale, Alex Gatesy Lewis, Annelise Abela, Maxine Aquilina, Anton Saliba, David Chircop, Chris Spiteri, Janelle Caruana, Diandra Anne Mamo, Rambert Attard and Stephen Galea.

MADC’s new and exciting production of The Merchant of Venice blends together the themes of wealth race, friendship, love, revenge, despair and hope, strengthening the contemporary relevance of Shakespeare’s poetic work of great beauty.

The play opens on July 23rd till July 30th.

Booking - Online: www.madc.com.mt or Phone: 79796232

Purchase The Merchant of Venice Tickets Online

Event Details


Event Type:

Theatre

Location:


San Anton Gardens
Triq Birbal, Attard

Start Date:

23 July 2014

End Date:

30 July 2014

Website:

Tickets:

Venue:


Venue:

San Anton Gardens

Address:

Triq Birbal

Dates:


23
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30
24
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30
25
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30
26
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30
27
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30
28
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30
29
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30
30
Jul
The Merchant of Venice
San Anton Gardens, Attard - Theatre
18:30