The Merchant of Venice at the RSC

1:03pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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THE money-lender's pound of flesh and the riddle that holds the key to a princess's heart are two classic strands of story-telling.

And Shakespeare's play that weaves the two together has always been a firm favourite in the introduction of young audiences to his works.

Tim Carroll's Merchant of Venice is his first for the Royal Shakespeare Company and he is working with a cast distinguised too by the number of debut performances.

The tale of hapless Antonio, the deadly bond, Bassanio's wooing of Portia and the dramatuic court-room confrontation, is told with admirable clarity and simplicity.

Few props, some rather inelegant costumes and a series of static scenes, ensure the audience focuses on the words.

The forensic approach has its merits but, apart from a boisterous couple of dance sequences and a laugh shared through audience-involvement,the fire, passion and drama are missing.

The play continues in Srtratford-upon-Avon for the summer season.