The Merchant of Venice

2023 was the 400th anniversary of the publication in 1623 of Shakespeare’s iconic First Folio, and we were looking forward to our upcoming First Folio Festival in August. Meanwhile back in April, we began with The Merchant of Venice. What a complex and challenging play. It’s a fabulous story, told in some of the most lyrical and often quoted language Shakespeare ever wrote, yet what a contradictory mesh of racist, religious and social prejudices are in the air. All the protagonists seem blind to any point of view but their own; and during rehearsal we simply tried to find the personal justifications which allow each to behave as they do. Everyone is doing their best, according to their own lights, and how nearly they come to catastrophe!  

The Story? It starts in Venice; it’s Carnival time yet the wealthy Merchant Antonio wonders why he’s feeling low. We soon hear a possible reason. His long-term friend Bassanio has fallen for the rich and beautiful Portia who lives out of town. Worse, to woo her in the manner to which he’s sure she will be accustomed, Bassanio needs to borrow money. Antonio is temporarily short of funds to help; never mind – he’ll take out a loan with a money-lender, and they approach Shylock, the Jew.  Seeing an opportunity for possible revenge after all the insults he’s endured from the Christian community over the years, Shylock agrees a loan to Antonio. He suggests a ludicrous wager: should Antonio default Shylock can take ‘a pound of your fair flesh’ in lieu of cash. Antonio cheerfully agrees, sure that he’ll be able to repay the debt in plenty of time. 

Over in Belmont Portia is beset by suitors whose only chance to win her is rightly to answer the challenge set by her dead father: which of three differing caskets contains her picture?  Bassanio chooses the right casket, but rejoicings are interrupted by a message from Antonio that his ventures have foundered, he is unable to repay the debt, and Shylock – his vengeful rage compounded with grief that his daughter has eloped not only with a Christian but with precious jewels & tons of cash – is determined to have his pound of flesh.  

In a mighty Trial scene Shylock demands justice; he will cut out Antonio’s heart or the law is an ass.  Yet Portia’s quick wits save the day. Shylock totters broken from the Court, and over in Belmont there are high hopes for the future. A ‘happy ending’,  yet what issues of pain, abuse, mercy and punishment are raised along the way……                             

Sue Best - Director                                                                                           

The Music  -  “Tell me where is fancy bred?”

Bassanio hears this song while pondering his choice of casket; to win the hand of Portia or never marry. A fancy or fantasy, seen as a flight of the imagination, helped me understand these curious lines and to create the musical setting. My thanks to the cast for their imaginative leap to emulate sackbutts (the trombones of Shakespeare’s time) to start our carnival in this much too freely adapted Toccata, the opening fanfare from Monteverdi’s great opera Orfeo, first performed in Mantua in 1607. Monteverdi would have been very aware of the ghettos in Mantua and other Italian cities, including Venice, at that time, and the severe restrictions imposed on the everyday lives of Jews. Interestingly, one exception may have been that they were allowed to teach music.

Simon Fraser - Musical Director

‘Being part of the Willow Globe community theatre gives me a focus, a sense of belonging, the feeling that we are working together to create something for the community, doing something we all love.

Yo, step into the scene, let me introduce the theme,

A tale of love, hate, and a pound of flesh extreme,

It's Shakespeare's masterpiece, a work that's so intense,

Let's dive into the world of The Merchant of Venice.

(Chorus)

Venice, a city of masks and mystery,

Where fortunes are made, where deals are a misery,

A pound of flesh, a bond that's hard to sever,

This rap's dedicated to Shakespeare's clever endeavor.

(Verse 2)

We meet Antonio, a merchant with a golden heart,

But in a cruel twist of fate, his luck starts to depart,

Bassanio seeks his help, to woo a lady fair,

Portia's the prize, and he needs funds to get her there.

(Verse 3)

Shylock, the moneylender, cold and full of rage,

Demands a pound of flesh as collateral on the stage,

Driven by revenge, he's fueled by deep resentment,

A Jewish man scorned by a Christian establishment.

(Chorus)

Venice, a city of masks and mystery,

Where fortunes are made, where deals are a misery,

A pound of flesh, a bond that's hard to sever,

This rap's dedicated to Shakespeare's clever endeavor.

(Verse 4)

Portia, the clever heroine, steps onto the scene,

Disguised as a young lawyer, to intervene,

With wit and intelligence, she changes the game,

Saving Antonio from Shylock's vengeful claim.

(Verse 5)

In the court of justice, the climax takes its toll,

The pound of flesh demand takes a heavy toll,

But Portia finds a loophole, a legal escape,

Mercy triumphs over vengeance, sealing Shylock's fate.

(Chorus)

Venice, a city of masks and mystery,

Where fortunes are made, where deals are a misery,

A pound of flesh, a bond that's hard to sever,

This rap's dedicated to Shakespeare's clever endeavor.

(Verse 6)

Lessons learned in Venice, a story for the ages,

About the consequences of greed and its stages,

Justice, mercy, and the power of disguise,

Shakespeare's words still resonate, they never die.

(Outro)

So raise your hands and give a shout,

To The Merchant of Venice, there's no doubt,

Shakespeare's brilliance shines through every line,

A timeless tale that'll forever intertwine

‘Being involved in the Willow Globe community theatre production is the sort of experience that you might hope to have once in a lifetime, but at the Willow Globe, it is possible every year! To be involved in the production for its duration is to be inspired, enriched and elevated by the (surely unique?) artistic and cultural experience of rehearsing and performing in a living willow Shakespearean-style theatre, directed by outstanding professionals, set in a famously beautiful landscape. To be involved is to experience your own personal growth (for example, exceeding what you thought you were capable of, or, making new friends and connections) but also to witness the beneficial impact on the other participants - which is itself beneficial. The community play at the Willow Globe excels at inclusivity and generating a shared and exciting sense of collective effort and endeavour; it is a unique and precious resource in mid-Wales, or anywhere.’