Posted: 26/04/16
Shakespeare shaken up for degree-level show
University-level performing arts students will be showing off their acting talents on the college’s stage at their end-of-year production of a Shakespeare classic with a twist.
The Merchant of Venice is being performed by BA Applied Studies Theatre students for two shows on Tuesday and Wednesday (3 and 4 May). Their version, in the Create Theatre at the Derby Road campus, will be set in 1938 on the brink of war.
Set in the city of Venice, a young man named Bassanio is looking for a guarantor for a loan of three thousand ducats to court a wealthy heiress named Portia. He approaches his friend Antonio for help but his recent ventures have left him short of money so the pair meet with money-lender Shylock.
Shylock despises Antonio and his support for the Nazi party but Shylock agrees to a short-term loan, grasping the opportunity to exact his revenge upon Antonio and expresses that should the debt not be paid back in time, the forfeit will be a pound of his flesh.
Audiences can see the situation unfold and watch students perform their roles at the end of their degree studies. Tickets cost £5 each or £4 for concessions and can be purchased from www.createtheatre.co.uk or by calling 01623 413363.
