Details:
Details: The American Drama Group (ADG) will be performing The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare on Monday 29 June 2015 at the Chateau de Bourglinster at 19:00
The American Drama Group (ADG) Europe is undertaking a 4-month Castle Tour of Europe with their production of The Merchant of Venice, starting in early June. This production is Directed by PAUL STEBBINGS; Dramaturgy: PHIL SMITH; Musical composer & director: JOHN KENNY; Producer: GRANTLY MARSHALL.
Notes from the director: The comedy works through two interwoven plots: that of the love story of Portia and Bassanio and that of the legal drama of Antonio, Shylock and the same Bassanio. As in all Shakespeare plays each plot comments on the other and develops themes and ideas dear to the author. Each is resolved – Portia marries Bassanio after she teaches him a sharp lesson (as does Nerissa teach a parallel lesson to Gratiano). A double marriage seals the comedy. For the Christian audience of the original, there is also a type of happy ending at the trial. Portia disguised as a man humiliates Shylock but also saves him; for the conversion of both Shylock and Jessica will lead to their heavenly salvation. Where a modern audience sees cultural annihilation and racist revenge a 16th century audience saw a merciless man given not just mercy but salvation. Quiet rightly we reject that today, the bronze reliefs of the Getto will not permit us to laugh triumphantly with Portia and Gratiano at the Jew’s ruin and forced conversion. In our production we have tried to maintain the balance that Shakespeare intended between comedy and high drama. We have stripped away minor characters and taken the liberty of suggesting an ending which reflects the troubled history of the Jews in Venice and Europe as a whole.
Venue: Chateau de Bourglinster
Organiser: American Drama Group (ADG)
Price: Tickets cost €25 (students & children €10).
Reservations: To book tickets, see www.adg-europe.com/?event=castle-tour-2015.
URL: see www.nwtc.lu
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