Mirror Magazine - A Venetian experience

Love, revenge, manipulation and money make up a potent mix that is at the heart of The Merchant Of Venice. Venice, together with a stellar cast and a great soundtrack, aims to capture all this

StageLight&Magic Inc. will unveil its biggest theatre production on September 1 when the curtain goes up on Venice at the Lionel Wendt. Billed as their tenth anniversary celebration, Venice will run from September 1 to 17, 2006.

Shakespeare’s classic deals with not just a story of love, but also explores the persecution of Jews during that time. The play opens in the Venetian harbour, where Antonio and Shylock conduct their business. Salarino and Salanio attempt to lighten up Antonio’s mood, while Bassanio speaks to Antonio, and reveals his love for Portia and his intention to travel to Belmont seeking her hand. Bassanio requests money from Antonio for his journey. Not having the money, Antonio instructs Bassanio to borrow the required sum for which he will be surety.

In Belmont, Portia and Nerissa discuss the suitors who are seeking Portia’s hand in marriage. Having received word from Gratiano, professing his love, Nerissa devises a plan to get Gratiano to Belmont. She cleverly brings up Bassanio’s name as a potential suitor and receives a favourable response from Portia. Meanwhile, Balthazar brings word that a new suitor, the Prince of Morocco has arrived at the gates. Bassanio speaks to Shylock in order to borrow money to woo Portia. Since the money will be borrowed in Antonio’s name, Shylock sees an opportunity to avenge himself for years of persecution suffered at the hands of these Christian merchants.

Antonio arrives at the market place, and in a classic confrontation, Shylock cleverly manipulates Antonio’s emotions and lures him into a seemingly innocuous bond, where the forfeiture is a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Afterwards, Lancelot meets his father on the street, and expresses his intention to leave Shylock’s service and seek employment with Bassanio. Gratiano, having received word from Nerissa, begs Bassanio to take him along to Belmont. Shylock leaves the house to dine with Bassanio. Lorenzo and Jessica elope to Belmont. The happiness of the lovers is shattered by the fact that Antonio’s ships have been wrecked at sea and the bond to Shylock is forfeit. Salarino and Salanio confront Shylock in the market place. Shylock responds to the taunts of the Christians with an impassioned plea that the Jews be treated as human beings and equals.

Venice will see some of English theatre’s finest talent on display. Marsh Dodanwela and Prasad Pereira (Shylock), Swasha Perera and Ashini Fernando (Portia), Michael Holsinger and Zaiquath Nizar (Gratiano), with Nadia Dawood, Shannon Misso, Chamat Arambewela, Sashane Perera, Pierre Samarasinghe, Roshni Gunaratne, Roshani de Silva, Dininda Paranahewa, Natty Blacker, Shayala Smith, Aida Mansoor, Cheryl Howsen and Jerome Ziegalar form the nucleus of a talented cast. The soundtrack of the play Venice was produced in Sri Lanka and mastered at A. R. Rahman’s studio in Chennai, India. The play will feature live backing music for the scenes as well as the songs. The music will be provided by Ranil Gunawardane, Thimal Jayamanne, Ranen Frances, Kevin Vansanden, Ruvin de Silva, Shamin de Silva, Shannon Jacob, Roshan Gunawardane, Chandu Fernando and Dwijendra Senaratne. Venice will also see a state-of-the-art sound system being used, which will be handled by Aquarius Limited. The sound system, which is a high-powered EV line-array speaker system, which is designed using the latest technology to ensure that crystal clear sound, is delivered to every part of the auditorium.

The production is sponsored by Mobitel (principal sponsor) Alankara – The House of Diamonds, Aquarius Limited and Impression (corporate sponsors), Yamaha Music Centre, The Cutting Station, Haddai Label, Kodak and Video Image (co-sponsors). YES FM and Channel One MTV are the electronic media partners and The Sunday Times and the Daily Mirror are the official newspapers.

Venice is directed by Feroze Kamardeen and produced by Sirraj Abdul Hameed. Box plan and tickets are now available at the Wendt.