The Merchant of Venice 1936 Tickets
The “fascinating and timely” adaptation starring Tracy-Ann Oberman returns!This production is recommended for ages 12+.
Performance dates
28 December 2024 - 25 January 2025
Run time 2hrs (inc. interval)
Includes interval
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The Merchant of Venice 1936 London
If you prick us do we not bleed? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?
Following a critically acclaimed run at The Criterion Theatre, and a sold-out UK tour, this thrilling adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic returns to the West End! Playing for a strictly limited season at Trafalgar Theatre, Tracy-Ann Oberman reprises her celebrated role in this tale of political unrest. Book your tickets now.
What is The Merchant of Venice 1936 about?
Acclaimed director, Brigid Larmour transports the bard’s classic to 1930s Britain, where tensions in London’s East End are rising, and its inhabitents are close to breaking point. When Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists voice their plan a march through the Jewish neighborhood, the fragile peace threatens to shatter.
Shylock (Tracy-Ann Oberman), a widow, single mother and survivor of attacks on Jewish people in Russia, runs a small business from her home in Cable Street. The industrious and resilent refugee is desperate to protect her daughter’s future, at any cost. When the charming merchant Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her vengeance, and if she does, who will pay the ultimate price?
Don’t miss this electrifying and timely adaptation of The Merchant of Venice, a fierce and fascinating reminder of a key moment in recent British history.
Critical Acclaim and Fun Facts
- ‘Fascinating and timely’ Daily Mail, “Striking and impactful” Guardian, ‘Makes theatre history’ The Telegraph, ‘The perfect example of how to do Shakespeare’ Metro.
- The Merchant of Venice 1936 was nominated for Best Play Revival in the What’s On Stage 2024 Awards.
- The Merchant of Venice 1936 performed a sold out run at The Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, before embarking on a critically acclaimed UK tour and limited season at The Criterion Theatre.
- Tracy-Ann Oberman was the first woman in the plays 400-year history to play the role of Shylock.
The Merchant of Venice 1936 Cast
- Shylock – Tracy-Ann Oberman
- Antonio/Arragon - Joseph Millson
- Portia - Georgie Fellows
- Bassanio - Gavin Fowler
- Mary/Nerissa - Evie Hargreaves
- Jessica - Grainne Dromgoole
- Gratiano/Police Constable - Xavier Starr
- Lorenzo/Maharajah - Mikhail Sen
- Yuval/Balthasar/Blackshirt/Duke - Alex Zur
- Stefani/Blackshirt - Elly Roberts
The Merchant of Venice 1936 Creatives
- Director – Brigid Larmour
- Costume and Set Designer – Liz Cooke
- Lighting Designer – Rory Beaton
- Composer – Erran Baron Cohen
- Sound Designer – Sarah Weltman
- Artistic Associates – Annabel Arden and Richard Katz
- Production Manager – Matt Ledbury
- Video Editor – Greta Zabulyte
Content
This is an adaptation of the original text, which contains themes of racism, including anti-Semitism.Recent Reviews
The play transferred to 1936 effortlessly. It was a powerful proformance by all . The message of the play was as poiyiant today as when Shakespeare wrote it . Highly recommended to all .
Setting the play during London's East End Moseley induced riots had some horrific moments and was (healthily) disturbing However, I felt that this adaptation just didn't quite work. To use this play as a piece of anti racist propoganda is complicated due to Shylock's very unlovable and flawed character and responses. This bothered me throughout the play. And the ending, which suddenly felt very "PC" with the blackshirts shedding their top layer to become those who stood side by side with the Jewish population shouting "They shall not pass" jarred with me. However, I would still recommend the play! Fantastic acting. Beautiful venue (which I had never been to before). Shakespeare never disappoints. Always a great night out.
Excellent show blending the modern with Shakespearean language and showing the rampant antisemitism of old, which is once again a problem today. It was a powerful message about revenge and hatred of the other. Acted out beautifully .
Very interesting to have this play set against the backdrop of 1936.
A must see , cast were superb with the story telling. Welcoming theatre ,comfortable seats ,adequate legroom.
Thought provoking and timely interpretation. Excellent performances by main actors. Obermann was outstanding.
A number of the actors failed to enunciate their words clearly so it failed at the most simple technical level. The political statements were repetitive to the point of being tedious.
Sadly the younger members too ebullient and not good at projection.
Excellent cast all parts balanced...mixture of history and theatre just the right balance
Excellent performance, very moving
Its amazing..
Highly entertaining, brilliant acting
Latest The Merchant of Venice 1936 News
News / Features / Celebrities / Casting
Joseph Millson joins Tracy-Ann Oberman in The Merchant of Venice 1936
Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner) will be joined by The Last Kingdom's Joseph Millson in the critically acclaimed production of The Merchant of Venice 1936, for its strictly limited West End season at the Trafalgar Theatre (28 December – 25 January) and subsequent UK tour in 2025.
Back by popular demand, and following a sold-out run at the Criterion Theatre earlier this year, Shakespeare’s enduring classic is transported to 1930s East London against a backdrop of political unrest and the Battle of Cable Street.
Millson, whose credits include Netflix’s The Last Kingdom, Marvel’s Moon Knight, and his critically acclaimed performance as Soames in The Forsyte Saga, plays Antonio alongside Tracy-Ann’s Shylock. This smash hit production also welcomes Georgie Fellows as Portia, Evie Hargreaves as Mary/Nerissa, Mikhail Sen as Lorenzo/Maharajah and Elly Roberts as Stefania/Blackshirt. Reprising their roles are Gavin Fowler as Bassanio, Grainne Dromgoole as Jessica, Xavier Starr as Gratiano, and Alex Zur as Yuval/The Duke/Blackshirt.
4 Nov, 2024 | By Sian McBride
News
What’s closing in theatres this month (March 2024)
It may have had an extra day this year, but February, unlike the month before it, went by in a flash! As we enter March, and officially begin a new season, we embrace new sights (blue skies!), new sounds (us, pointing to the sky and exclaiming ‘look, blue skies’) and say a fond farewell to some of our favourite shows.
Thankfully, you have just enough time to catch these productions before the West End welcomes new works. So, whether you’re a fan of classic musicals, award-winning revivals, or fancy something completely different, we have the perfect last minute show for you.
24 Feb, 2024 | By Sian McBride
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