Reviewed by Marie Su
The Tap Gallery Theatre in Darlinghurst is ticked away in Palmer Street in an old building with an interior bohemian ambience. The Tap Theatre itself is an intimate venue however, in this production of Sydney Shakespeare Company’s “The Merchant of Venice”, the sets and stage proved both versatile and capacious when used by the actors.
Sydney Shakespeare Company highlighted the theme of Revenge in this play, but there was also a strong emotional thread concerning the idea of just how far would a man go for his friend. Antonio, played with passion by Anthony Campenella, is the merchant of Venice, who risks all to enable his good friend Bassanio (Alex Nicholas) to marry the girl of his dreams, Portia (Lizzie Schebesta). The problems arise when Antonio borrows money from a Jewish moneylender, Shylock (Mark Lee) and then, due to the vagaries of maritime trading, finds he cannot repay the 3,000 ducats lent in the agreed time frame. Antonio must pay the forfeit a pound of his flesh nearest his heart. The debt and forfeit had been agreed to in a legally binding contract so, Antonio’s life, Shylock’s revenge and Bassanio’s debt all teeter on the legal skill and persuasive logic of Portia, disguised as Antonio’s defence lawyer.
There are at least three of Shakespeare’s best known speeches in this play and Mark Lee (Shylock) and Lizzie Schebesta (Portia) conveyed them with well paced, accessibility and with well defined humanity. Mark Lee sensitively drew us in to the world of the outsider, who makes his way and lives with his mistakes. This is why Shakespeare’s work survives, because he is writing about us. Shylock tells of victimisation, the need to retaliate, while Portia tells of the need to find justice which is tempered with mercy. All the characters act out the need to find love, appreciation and gratitude from people they care about.
This production had some intense emotionally charged exchanges, especially after the intermission. The interval was 15 minutes in a play run between 8-10.30pm. However, Steven Hopley, a capable producer and director, did not let us forget that this was one of Shakespeare’s comedies. The romantic love of Jessica (Renaye Loryman) and Lorenzo (Richard Hilliar) was cute and smooch which juxtaposed to their tenuous position as Christian/Jewish runaways. There was intense ardour in Bassanio’s love for Portia. While Portia had a playful, yet respectful understanding that the complex situations Bassanio found himself in were due to his feelings of loyalty. Schebesta delivered her lines with measured banter and knowing undercurrents which gave the resolution of the play a satisfying conclusion for the audience.
The other romantic pair, Nerissa (Rosanna Easton) and Gratiano (Craig Annis) who were servants to Portia and bassanio respectively, provided good contrast to their masters. These more overt characterisations provided the light and shade which helped the audiences focus on the serious issues at stake. Yet we were allowed to see the fun of disguised identities being revealed, princely suitors presenting themselves to exaggerated effect, as well as the foibles of old age and difficult child/parent relationships.
The Sydney Shakespeare Company has used modern technology in props, contemporary costuming, well placed lighting and professional actors, all of whom have portrayed “The Merchant of Venice” in a way that those with or without previous Shakespearean experience can understand and enjoy at a good value ticket price at a venue that is accessible to public transport. It is showing from the 7th until the 24th of August.
