British Universities Film & Video Council

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Shylock

Synopsis
Set in the Jewish Ghetto of Venice, 1563, and narrated from Shylock’s perspective, this rewriting of Shakespeare’s play by British playwright Arnold Wesker retains the core plot of Shakespeare’s play but re-envisions the relationships between the protagonists. Juliet Stevenson as Portia and Henry Goodman as Shylock.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Transmission details
5 Mar 2006 at 19:30 (Channel: BBC Radio 3)
Duration
120 mins

Credits

Director
David Hitchinson
Producer
David Hitchinson
Writer
Arnold Wesker
Cast
Henry GoodmanShylock Kolner (Shylock)
Ronald PickupAntonio (Antonio)
Toby StephensBassanio (Bassanio)
Juliet StevensonPortia Contarini (Portia)
Nicholas BoultonGraziano (Gratiano)
Annette RossSinger
Anthony GlennonRoderigues da Cunha
Geoffrey BeeversSolomon Usque
Geoffrey BeeversThe Doge (Duke of Venice)
Geoffrey StreatfeildLorenzo (Lorenzo)
Jennie StollerRebecca de Mendes
Jonathan TaflerTubal di Ponti (Tubal)
Lydia LeonardJessica (Jessica)
Noma DumezweniNerissa (Nerissa)
Sheila SteafelRivka

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Historical period
Renaissance Italy
Plays
Merchant of Venice, The
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
This production was accompanied by music from 16th century Jewish composer  Salamone Rossi, sung by Nanette Ross and  played by the Siena Ensemble.  The Ensemble was formed by the Jewish dramatist Michelene Wandor, originally to provide music for her BBC Radio 3 play, Orlando and Friends.
History
One of Wesker’s most neglected plays (performed only once in the UK from the time it was written in 1976), its initial Broadway run in New York came to a tragic halt when Zero Moster, the actor playing Shylock, died between the first and the second preview. The diaries that Wesker wrote during the rehearsals were subsequently published by Fromm International in 1999 under the title "The Birth of Shylock and the Death of Zero Mostel". BBC has bought the film options on the book.
Textual information
The script of the play has been published by Penguin Books, London, under the title Shylock and Other Plays in the Penguin Plays and Screenplays Series, Vol. 4 (1990).

Online Availability

Online URL
http://www.arnoldwesker.com/synopses/shylock.htm

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Archive

Name

British Library Sound Archive

Email
listening@bl.uk
Web
http://www.bl.uk/nsa External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7412 7676
Fax
020 7412 7441
Address
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB

Record Stats

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