The Merchant of Venice

Polly Findlay's 2015 Royal Shakespeare Company staging of the Bard's controversial play at Stratford-Upon-Avon casts the spotlight on the title businessman—Antonio, who borrows money from the Jew Shylock in order to aid his friend Bassanio in his quest to win the fair Portia. In her audio commentary, Findlay emphasizes the view—a minority one among Shakespeare scholars—that the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is “unambiguously a romantic relationship,” and she makes that clear by having the two passionately kiss in the first scene. That viewpoint dominates Jamie Ballard's performance as Antonio, who is presented not as a proud, stalwart man but rather as a lovesick guy who wails in fear in the courtroom when Shylock prepares to cut the contractual pound of flesh from his chest. This approach also colors the character of Patsy Ferran's Portia, who even as she defends Antonio against Shylock in the guise of a lawyer, is taken aback by her fiancé's open show of affection for the merchant. In this setting, moneylender Shylock, who often dominates the play, comes across as a rather bland figure, particularly as underplayed by Makram J. Khoury. Ferran and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, as Bassanio, are more vital presences. Unfortunately, the comedy-relief bits fall flat (especially those involving strained interaction with audience members), and Johannes Schütz's set, a stark golden wall with a stage that's bare aside from a large silver ball swinging like a pendulum (presumably as a sort of countdown clock) adds little (ditto for Anette Guther's eclectic costumes and the occasional music choruses). In sum, this is rather disappointing overall, but does feature some intriguing interpretive ideas. Other extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and a cast gallery. A strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)