Globe Education Online

Shylock [Norbert Kentrup]. Photo: John Tramper

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath.

4.1.181-3

Bassanio, needing money to woo Portia, heiress of Belmont, asks his friend Antonio for a loan. With no ready funds and all his ships at sea, Antonio seeks out a Jewish moneylender. Shylock, who hates the merchant for his Christian contempt of usury, proposes a 'merry bond' by which, if the money is not repaid within three months, he may take a pound of Antonio's flesh; foolishly Antonio agrees.

Set in the most celebrated and multi-cultural mercantile city of Renaissance Europe. The Merchant of Venice compares the Christian, Judaic and Hermetic traditions of 16th century Italy and England and weighs them in the balance.

 Creative Team

Director: Richard Oliver
Designer: Jenny Tiramani
Composer: Claire van Kampen

 Cast

Nicholas Monu - The Duke of Venice
Nicholas Monu - The Prince of Morocco
Morris Perry - The Prince of Aragon
Jack Shepherd - Antonio
Mark Rylance - Bassanio
Andrew French - Gratiano
Neil D’Souza - Salerio
Benedict Wong - Solanio
Clarence Smith - Lorenzo
Norbert Kentrup - Shylock
Ralph Watson - Tubal
Marcello Magni - Launcelot Gobbo
Ralph Watson - Old Gobbo
Morris Perry - Leonardo
Robert Woods - Balthazar / Stephano
Kathryn Pogson - Portia
Sonia Ritter - Nerissa
Lilo Baur - Jessica

Discover the Play

• Discover other productions of The Merchant of Venice at the Globe:

- The Merchant of Venice (2007)

• Discover the actors' experiences making the production in Adopt An Actor:

- Andrew French as Gratiano
- Lilo Baur as Jessica
- Marcello Magni as Launcelot Gobbo
- Sonia Ritter as Nerissa
- Norbert Kentrup as Shylock

The Merchant of Venice was performed in 1998, during the Season of Justice and Mercy.