The Merchant of Venice
The plot develops through two acts--the bond story and the casket story. The casket story sets the bond story in motion. Bassanio, the hero of the play, needs money to try out his luck in the lottery of caskets to win over the beautiful Portia. He approaches his bosom friend Antonio. However Antonio, a renowned merchant of Venice, has no ready cash. The two go to Shylock for a loan and a fatal bond is signed. Shylock lends Bassanio the money on the condition that if Bassanio fails to return the money in time, Shylock will get a pound of Antonio's flesh. Shakespeare has revealed the violation of human rights, the agony and torture of the minority through the character, Shylock. Thus, the two acts of the play unfold.
Translator Abdus Selim has presented the play with a contemporary approach. The translator has intentionally avoided the religious issues depicted in the original script. There are many contrasts and conflicts in the play.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. However, the overlapping dialogues and lack of tension in accordance with the demand of a sequence frustrate the audience. Although director Israfil Shaheen has portrayed Shylock as a very cruel person and a stereotypical representative of the Jewish community, his Shylock is not delineated effectively.
The creative and colourful set design of Sudip Chakravarty adorns the stage effectively. Through Abdul Halim's light effects, the director of the play tries to differentiate between places such as Portia's house, a Venice road, and Shylock's house. However, it was not effective. Colour effects on the cyclorama have little appeal as obstacles are created by the huge set between the cyclorama and audience.
Tony Vincent Gomes as Shylock, Azlina Iqbal as Nerissa, Elita as Portia were impressive. Although a non-professional group, the teamwork and sound effect pulled in a large audience.