The Merchant of Venice at the RSC
1:03pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008
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.