Merchant of Venice in outdoors

Following Macbeth in 2016 and The Tempest in 2018, the Bason Botanic Gardens brings to Whanganui The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s blackest comedy.

Bassanio needs money to woo Portia. He asks to borrow some from his friend Antonio, who is a little skint and therefore needs to borrow money from Shylock, a Jewish money-lender. In lieu of charging interest, Shylock offers to instead take a pound of Antonio’s flesh. What could go wrong?

Portia can only be won by the chap who guesses which of three boxes has her portrait. Only one can win. And there’s more than just one relationship which rests on Bassanio being successful.

Shylock’s daughter Jessica has fallen in love with a Christian man. There is only one way that they can be together and that is if they elope.

Antonio has been unlucky — all of his overseas ships have gone down or disappeared and he now has to pay the bond of the pound of his flesh. Although the Duke of Venice would like to rule against it, it is important to Venice’s economic future to show that deals are honoured. A young lawyer named Balthazar tries the case.

And there’s this new bean called “coffee” which has just started showing up from Arabia. Merchants are experimenting with it, to see if they can create a market for it. But it’s not easy.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Venue: Bason Botanic Gardens on Thursday 27, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 February 7pm and Sunday 1 March 1pm. Shakespeare in the Park presents the 2020 season of The Merchant of Venice — Shakespeare’s darkest comedy. Travel back in time to 16th century Venice and explore themes of religious persecution, gender inequality, greed, revenge and love with lashings of comic relief, all set outdoors in the Bason Botanic Gardens. Presented by: The Bason Botanic Gardens

Directed by Karen Craig — CompLEmentary Productions Producer: Elise Goodge Musical Director: Ingrid Culliford www. shakespeareintheparkwhanganui.com Hamper available by pre-order only.

Hampers available for collection on the night at the Bason Botanic Gardens.

Hamper single — $25 / Hamper double — $45

Contents: Your choice of vege / chicken / beef wrap, mixed fruit bowl, Gooey chocolate brownie, selection of cheeses with crackers. Your choice of sparkling grape juice / non alcoholic beer / Coke / lemonade / orange juice

Gluten and dairy free hampers available on request. Ticket price: service fee $1 per ticket.

Adult $25 Senior / Student $15 Child 1-18yrs $10.

NB: Gate sales — $5 admin fee per party — cash only.

Karen Craig
Whanganui Midweek 26/2/20