Another day, another one of Shakespeare’s problematic texts at The Globe. Or, is it these days? Well, yes. It is. But, I don’t think anyone would even attempt a ‘straight’ take on this these days. Simply play Shylock the villain because he’s jewish. As a result, pretty much everyone lese in this seems like a complete git for pretty much all of it. (The director here even neatly adds a running joke about the women shunning the converted Jessica.)
Or would it be damning with faint praise this wonderfully nuanced take on this piece of anti-Semitism to not acknowledge the skill with which its handled? Perhaps even more deftly than the excellent Shrew earlier this year. And, done in proper hose. No fancy schmancy modern dress nonsense going on here.
My first time seeing Jonathan Pryce on the stage. You know what, he’s really very good. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what he’s doing that the others aren’t but you can see it. Majestic to behold.
Tony Kiernan 