Bell Shakespeare Returns to the Arts Centre Melbourne with THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

In her first production with Bell Shakespeare, acclaimed theatre director Anne Louise Sarks will present a new, contemporary production of the Shakespeare classic, The Merchant Of Venice. Starring Australian award-winning actors Mitchell Butel and Jessica Tovey, The Merchant Of Venice opens at the Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio, from 19 July - 30 July 2017, followed by a national tour around Australia.

Money makes the world go around. Portia has it. Bassanio wants it. Shylock lends it. Antonio owes the value of it. Love also plays a part. Portia offers it. Bassanio wants it. And Antonio may lose a pound of flesh for it.

This uncompromising production explores the tense relationship and prejudices between those that have, and those that don't. Dark in its humour and bawdy in its romantic hijinks, The Merchant Of Venice takes audiences on a journey of love, mercy and justice.

More than 400 years after The Merchant Of Venice was written, the taut line between religious law or secular society, righteousness or compassion, tolerance or hate, is still present today.

"We are thrilled to welcome Anne-Louise Sarks to the Company and look forward to watching her at the helm of our national tour, presenting The Merchant Of Venice to 27 venues around Australia. This is only the second time since becoming Artistic Director for Bell Shakespeare that we've invited a new director to join us in creating new work", said Bell Shakespeare Artistic Director, Peter Evans

"We are committed to producing timeless and borderless works and I cannot wait to see what Anne-Louise Sarks does with our second production for 2017", said Mr Evans.

By William Shakespeare , Director Anne-Louise Sarks, Set & Costume Designer Michael Hankin, Lighting Designer Paul Jackson, Composer & Sound Designer Max Lyandvert, Voice Coach Jess Chambers, Dramaturg Benedict Hardie

With: Fayssal Bazzi (Gratiano), Mitchell Butel (Shylock), Catherine Davies (Nerissa), Eugene Gilfedder (Arragon / Tubal / Duke), Shiv Palekar (Lorenzo / Morocco), Damien Strouthos (Bassanio), Jessica Tovey (Portia), Jo Turner (Antonio) and Jacob Warner (Launcelot).

Touring nationally from July 2017.

Don't miss your opportunity to see this masterfully envisioned production tackle the biases and preconceived notions of one of Shakespeare's most challenging plays.

ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE, FAIRFAX STUDIO 19 - 30 July 2017
Preview: Wednesday 19 July, 7.30pm
Opening Night: Thursday 20 July at 7.30pm
Evening performances: Tuesday & Wednesday 6:30pm

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30pm

Matinee shows: Saturday 2pm, Sunday 4pm
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes (with 20 minute interval)

Tickets: $35-92

Bookings: 1300 182 183 or artscentremelbourne.com.au

To book this show as part of a 12-month Bell Shakespeare Membership, visit bellshakespeare.com.au.

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