The Merchant of Venice

For over four hundred years, in every country where Shakespeare’s plays have been performed, The Merchant of Venice has aroused controversy and excitement. This edition is the first to offer a comprehensive account of the Merchant in performance. Charles Edelman’s introduction challenges many of the myths and preconceptions associated with the play, and shows how historical events and cultural attitudes have shaped actors’ interpretations and audience responses. The commentary, printed alongside the text, describes how different actors, directors and designers have approached each character and episode on stage, film and television, from the first performances in the 1590s to the present day. The extraordinary variety of The Merchant of Venice in production will give every reader new and different insights into one of Shakespeare’s most powerful but troubling plays.

• A new and comprehensive history of the play in performance • Sweeps aside misconceptions about how the play was performed in the past • Commentary on how actors, directors and designers have approached the play on stage, film and television, from the first performances in the 1590s to the present day

List of illustrations; Series editors’ preface; Acknowledgements; Editor’s note; List of abbreviations; List of productions; Introduction; List of characters; The Merchant of Venice and commentary; Appendix 1; Appendix 2; Bibliography; Index.

‘This latest addition to the Shakespeare in Production series … is highly recommended for all libraries with drama, literature and performance collections.’ Reference Reviews

‘I cannot recommend too highly the whole series (a bargain at £16.99 for each play) to all theatre lovers, theatregoers, theatre practitioners, and anybody who enjoys Shakespeare.’ Robert Tanitch, What\'s on in London