“ALL THAT GLISTERS IS NOT GOLD; OFTEN HAVE YOU HEARD THAT TOLD” ACT II SC VII

Money makes the world go around. Portia has it. Bassanio wants it. Shylock lends it. Antonio owes the value of it.

Love also plays a part. Portia offers it. Bassanio wants it. And Antonio may lose a pound of flesh for it.

This uncompromising and dark production explores the tense relationship and prejudices between those that have, and those that have not. Dark in its humour and bawdy in its romantic hijinks, The Merchant of Venice takes audiences on a journey of love, mercy and justice.

More than 400 years after The Merchant of Venice was written, the taut line between religious law or secular society, righteousness or compassion, tolerance or hate, is still present in our lives today. Featuring three-time Helpmann Award winner, Mitchell Butel (Janet King and Rake) as the uncompromising and defiant Shylock, Jessica Tovey (Wolf Creek and Wonderland) as Portia, and directed by Anne-Louise Sarks (Belvoir’s Jasper Jones and Medea), this production tackles the prejudices and preconceived notions of one of Shakespeare’s most challenging plays.