The Merchant Of Venice at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

[dutchman]

The Merchant Of Venice: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, until September 26.
Running time 3hrs 10mins.


Picture by Ellie Kurttz/RSC

ARE you lonesome tonight?

Well, put on your blue suede shoes and join Elvis, some leggy showgirls and even a few passing superheroes for a glittering night of glamour, gambling and greed.

Vegas has come to Stratford and the Bard has been given a bling makeover specially for the occasion.

There are slot machines on stage, skimpily-clad cocktail waitresses balancing trays overflowing with drinks and roulette wheels spinning.

Jamie Beamish is at his hip-shaking, lip-curling best as he transforms servant Launcelot Gobbo into a gloriously over-the-top Elvis Presley impersonator. He breaks out into rock ‘n’ roll hits at every opportunity and the songs fit surprising well alongside Shakespeare’s dialogue.

Director Rupert Gould’s lively and highly imaginative production might leave some traditional Shakespeare fans all shook-up, but it’s certainly going to appeal to a whole new generation of theatre-goers.

This is no stuffy, staid, safe Shakespeare, but showbusiness Shakespeare with buckets of Vegas appeal.

Patrick Stewart as Shylock is even more of an outcast in such a gaudy setting were the pursuit of pleasure is never-ending. He’s a grey figure among the colourful peacocks and his serious manner is at odds with everyone around him. He battles the constant prejudice of religious and racial hatred and spectacularly breaks when his daughter – and money – are taken from him.

Elsewhere Portia’s suitor challenge is turned into a glitzy TV game show called Destiny with Susannah Fielding offering a rich, Southern belle multi-million dollar heiress in search of a husband. With blonde curls and designer shoes, she is the ultimate reality TV celebrity.

It’s Shakespeare rock ‘n’ roll heaven. Elvis has left the building.

Rating * * * * *

Review by Marion McMullen