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The Merchant of Venice
The Old Library, Mansfield
December 14th 2000
Mansfield-based theatre group Frontroom's recent productions have
received such rave reviews the pressure of expectation increases
with every new venture.
Their aim is to provide the town with a challenging, diverse range
of drama has led them to re-work one of Shakespeare's most famous
plays, The Merchant of Venice. A formidable task for professional
companies, and rarely attempted by amateur groups, it would provide
a real test for Frontroom's ambitious remit. We needn't have worried.
For many of us, the name Shakespeare conjures up bad memories of
classmates stumbling over lines in English lessons, or of second-rate
thespians hamming it up madly in provincial theatres.
But more recently Kenneth Branagh and Co. have shown us how accessible
the Great Bard's work can be with their film adaptations of Henry
V and Much Ado About Nothing.
Thankfully this was the path taken by Frontroom, with the cast
displaying an obvious understanding of the play's subtleties, and
giving it a modern, stylish treatment, which kept the audience enthralled
throughout.
Antonio, the merchant of Venice, takes a loan from Jewish moneylender
Shylock to enable his friend Bassanio to travel to Belmont to court
the beautiful heiress Portia. But when Antonio finds himself unable
to repay the loan, Shylock takes him to court to demand his forfeit
- a pound of flesh.
The play examines the suspicion and prejudice extracted on the
Jews at the time and Frontroom appropriately located it in pre-Second
World War Germany, with a Gershwin-style score composed and performed
by Ian Hibbert.
All of the cast were impressive, but for me the stand out performance
came from Ian David Carr, who was wonderful as weasley Shylock.
Best of all, the skill of the actors ensured we didn't get lost
in the plot, enabling us to fully enjoy the humour, drama and spectacle
of this great work.
Another winner from Frontroom then, and anticipation for their
next production.
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