Merchant of Venice

Fresh from hugely successful runs at the Royal Shakespeare Company in England and in New York comes the Boston premiere of Shakespeare’s tragicomedy, The Merchant of Venice, starring Oscar winner, F. Murray Abraham as Shylock.

The Merchant of Venice has been arousing controversies for centuries with raucous and gentle comedy, tender poetry, and its struggle with mercy and justice. The wealthy Merchant Antonio dotes on his friend Bassanio, a spendthrift who has depleted his inheritance. When Bassanio meets the brilliant, rich Portia, he asks Antonio to advance him money so he can compete for her hand in marriage. Antonio’s wealth is tied up in ships at sea and, despite his Anti-Semitism, he asks to borrow from Shylock, a Jewish money-lender. Shylock agrees, but insists that if Antonio defaults, he carve a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. Directed by Darko Tresnjak (former Artistic Director, Old Globe).