The Merchant of Venice’

Amici Touring Theatre present Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Saturday 30th May
1.00 pm
The Collection, Auditorium
£9.00 / £8.00 conc.

Amici Touring Theatre is once again venturing into Elizabethan theatre and the work of William Shakespeare, following last year’s highly successful production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’  A slightly darker comedy, ‘The Merchant of Venice’ nonetheless explores strong themes of love, conflict and mistaken identity.

When Bassanio, a young Venetian, realises he needs money to help him woo Portia, a Venetian heiress, he asks his friend Antonio to help him.  Antonio, a merchant, has all his wealth invested in his fleet, currently at sea, so decides to go to the Jewish money lender, Shylock.  Despite Antonio’s previous anti-semitic behaviour towards him, Shylock agrees to loan 3 thousand ducats.  However, in vengeance, he demands a special kind of interest – not money, but ‘a pound of flesh.’  Despite Bassanio’s protests, Antonio agrees to the terms, confident that his fleet will return safely and within the three month term of the loan.

However, Bassanio is not Portia’s only suitor, and because of the terms of her father’s will, they must all choose from 3 caskets, one of which contains her portrait.  This is the one that must be chosen in order to gain her hand in marriage.

To book tickets call the Amici Theatre Box Office: 01673 843575