Tracy-Ann Oberman to star in UK tour of The Merchant of Venice 1936
Tracy-Ann Oberman is to star in a tour of The Merchant of Venice 1936.
Watford Palace Theatre’s ground-breaking new reimagining of Shakespeare’s play opens at Watford Palace Theatre on 27 February, before transferring to HOME in Manchester where it runs from 15 March.
It will then tour this autumn, beginning at the RSC’s Swan Theatre from 21 September before visiting Wycombe Swan Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, Cardiff’s New Theatre and York Theatre Royal.
Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner) plays Shylock. The production is directed and adapted by Brigid Larmour from an idea by co-creator Oberman, relocating the action to an electrifying new setting; London in 1936.
With the city on the brink of political unrest, fascism sweeping across Europe and Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists threatening a paramilitary march through the Jewish East End, strong-willed single mother Shylock 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 has costume and set design by Liz Cooke, lighting design Rory Beaton and sound design is by Sarah Weltman. The composer is Erran Baron Cohen.
The Merchant of Venice 1936 dates and venues with Tracy-Ann Oberman »
Tracy-Ann Oberman said: “It has a been a lifelong dream of mine to bring this play to the stage in a new way, reimagining Shylock as a one of the tough, no-nonsense Jewish matriarchs I grew up around. I am 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 started my career in the Swan RSC back in 1992 and so to play there again as Shylock is a ‘pinch me’ moment.
“I cannot wait to take this important, sharp, sexy and heartfelt production to theatres around the country.”
For more information and tickets, visit merchantofvenice1936.co.uk
