The Merchant Of Venice at Questors

Chiswick-based Theatre West Four present their version

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”

Theatre West Four, Chiswick’s pro/amateur theatre company has been staging productions in West London for over fifty years with a mix of ex-professionals and life-time non-professionals. Following the success of their 2014 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, they are tackling the bard once more.

Written between 1596 and 1598, The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies exploring social injustice, prejudice, love, loss and revenge. Probably the most argued about play in the Shakespeare canon, there is no right or wrong interpretation: he gives you a number of characters in a variety of situations but passes no judgment on them, leaving you to make up your own mind. This production explores the theme of a drama of three outsiders: Shylock (because he is a Jew), Antonio (because he is gay) and Portia (because she is a woman in a male dominated world). Of the three only Portia survives unscathed, not least because by the end of the play her beloved Bassanio has grown up.

The Merchant of Venice runs from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 November.

Performances at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 26 November.

QUESTORS STUDIO THEATRE, 12 Mattock Lane, Ealing, W5 5BQ

For tickets go to the Questors web site

Or telephone the box office: 020 8567 5184

16 November 2016