The Merchant of Venice 13-14 December

The season runs from 6 to 21 March (no performances Sun, Mon or Tues) Auditionees are asked to prepare a piece from any Shakespearean play - it does not have to be from the Merchant - please select a piece that is in verse. The play tells the tale of two good friends, Antonio, the merchant of Venice, who, in the name of his friendship with Bassanio, strikes a deal with the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Bassanio needs the money to court Portia, a wealthy heiress who lives in the city of Belmont. Since his own money has been invested in a couple of trade ships that are still out at sea, Antonio decides to secure a loan from Shylock, agreeing to be Bassanio’s guarantor. Shylock nurses a grudge against Antonio for his habit of berating him and other Jews for loaning money at high rates of interest. Conscious also that Antonio has sometimes undermined his business by offering interest-free loans, Shylock takes advantage of Antonio’s need by readily agreeing to the loan. There is one condition only- if the three thousand ducats goes unpaid, he will be entitled to a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Bassanio marries Portia as news arrives that Antonio’s ships have been lost at sea, rendering him unable to pay the loan. Shylock’s claim to a pound of Antonio’s flesh is heard in the court before the Duke; however, Shylock’s claim is outsmarted by Portia who, dressed as a male lawyer, presents a brilliant defence. Shylock is convicted instead and forced to surrender half his wealth to Antonio, and the other half to the state. Antonio forfeits his claim to Shylock’s wealth on the condition of Shylock converting to Christianity and ceding his property to Jessica, Shylock’s daughter who had run away with her Christian lover, Lorenzo. All’s well that ends well (if you’re not Shylock) when news arrives regarding the safety of Antonio’s ships at sea. Characters: •Antonio: A Venetian merchant of considerable wealth, he makes his money from "ventures", or mercantile enterprises using his fleet of ships. •Bassanio: The romantic lead of this play •Shylock: A successful Jewish moneylender who is much maligned over his religion and his profession as a moneylender. •Tubul: Friend of Shylock. Dispatched by Shylock to find his daughter, he tells Shylock of the loss of Antonio's ships. •Portia: The heroine of this play, a wealthy and beautiful women who is desired by many, so much so that her father has devised an ingenious test all suitors must perform to win her hand in marriage. •Nerissa: As Portia's waiting-maid, she tends to Portia and also helps Portia save Antonio's life. She later marries Bassanio's friend Gratiano. •Gratiano: A good friend of Bassanio, he marries Nerissa after falling in love with her at Portia's palace. •The Prince of Morocco: One of Portia’s suitor (the one responsible for the expression "All that glitters is not gold; / Often have you heard that told”. •The Prince of Arragon: This suitor also fails to win the fair Portia's hand in marriage when he incorrectly chooses the silver casket. •Lorenzo: A close friend of both Bassanio and Antonio who elopes with Shylock's daughter Jessica. •Jessica: The daughter of Shylock, her eloping with the "Christian" Lorenzo and her stealing of his property, angers Shylock greatly. •Salarino and Salanio: Friends of Antonio . •The Duke of Venice: The judge over the court case between Shylock and Antonio. •Lancelot Gobbo: A clown and servant to Shylock, who later aids in the escape of Jessica. •Old Gobbo: Lancelot's father, who is blind. •Balthazar and Stephano: Servants of Portia. •Leonardo: Servant of Bassanio.