Dustin Hoffman and Peter Hall

Synopsis: Television arts documentary. Sir Peter Hall rehearses with Dustin Hoffman and other cast members of the Peter Hall Company for the London stage production of The Merchant of Venice. Filmed over one complete day’s rehearsal, the scenes covered are I iii, II v and IV i, mostly Hoffman’s scenes. Both Hoffman and Hall comment on the character of Shylock with emphasis on anti-semitism, and Hall expounds his theories of speaking Shakespeare’s verse. An interesting look at the rehearsal process but one dominated by Hall and Hoffman in what soon becomes a self-satisfied and congratulatory exercise.
Series: South Bank Show, The
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 24 Sep 1989 (Channel: ITV)
Duration: 55 mins

Director

Tony Know

Producer

Tony Know

Contributor

Peter Hall

Cast

Theatre company: Peter Hall Company
Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Plays: Merchant of Venice, The
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: anti-Semitism; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Verse speaking; Rehearsals
Related items: Merchant of Venice, The

Notes: The Birmingham Shakespeare Library holds a transcript.

The BFI National Archive also holds production material and inserts.
History: The programme was broadcast the day after the final performance at the Phoenix Theatre, London. The production then played in New York and a performance was recorded by Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) - catalogued separately.

British Universities Film & Video Council