“Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” – The Merchant of Venice, Act 3 Scene 1
The popular Shakespeare play is back by the KL Shakespeare Players after its successful April run.
The Merchant of Venice blends the fun of a romantic comedy with powerful questions about prejudice, justice, and mercy. Audiences found the production thought-provoking, moving, engaging, impactful, and surprisingly relevant to contemporary Malaysia.
The play follows Bassanio hoping to win the hand of Portia, a rich and intelligent woman, but he needs money to do so. He turns to his close friend Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, for help. Out of friendship, Antonio borrows three thousand ducats from Shylock, a moneylender. When Antonio cannot repay the loan by the agreed date, Shylock insists on the bond’s terrifying price: a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
Featuring a strong eight-member cast led by Lim Soon Heng’s compelling portrayal of Shylock, the 120-minute performance kept even first-time theatre and Shakespeare audiences fully engaged. Post-show Q&As were lively, with students eager to discuss the play and its themes.
Their production highlights the tension between justice and mercy–between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Between revenge and forgiveness. It also explores how unkindness begets unkindness and how friendship engenders love. All this is set against a backdrop of appearance versus reality. Of course, as in most Shakespeare plays, family, home, and belonging sit at the heart of the work.
Held at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) from September 25th to 27th, this play will have you laughing whilst deep in thought. Tickets are available here for purchase at RM77.30.
