The Merchant of Venice 1936 (West End) London Reviews and Tickets

86%

(513 Ratings)

Positive

88%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Clever, Absorbing, Ambitious, Great acting, Entertaining

About the Show

Tracy-Ann Oberman stars in the West End transfer of this 1930s adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy.

Shylock, a single mother & businesswoman, is desperate to protect her daughter’s future as tensions begin to rise in London's East End. When the charismatic merchant Antonio asks for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge, and who will pay the ultimate price?

Tracy-Ann Oberman ('Eastenders', 'Friday Night Dinner') stars in the adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy, which was created in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The show transfers to the West End for a limited run following a UK Tour in 2023.

This production is recommended for ages 12+.

Show-Score Member Reviews (46)

Great acting, Compelling, Interactive, Resonant, Relevant

See it if you want to see a profound Shakespeare meets 1930s anti-fascist protest play; to celebrate working class and Jewish culture; great ensemble

Don't see it if you want a more straightforward Shylock/Merchant of Venice; I found the ending clunky - got lost as we jumped from Shakespeare to Cable St. Read more

Great writing, Clever

See it if You want a serious, dark play

Don't see it if You want a larger production or something lighthearted

Relevant, Great staging, Great acting, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if This is a brilliant take on a play that is very problematic. However they've turned it around, it's so clever. Great acting also.

Don't see it if Nothing at all really, some people don't like the final moments, but I loved them, I feel it's more important than ever.

Entertaining, Well acted, Relevant, Clever, Absorbing

See it if You like Shakespeare being updated to shine a light on our current times and recent past. And it’s very well acted and designed.

Don't see it if You think anti-racism is woke.

Great staging, Great acting, Funny, Entertaining, Ambitious

See it if You like Shakespeare and want to see a great Shylock played by Tracy -Ann Oberman

Don't see it if You see Merchant of Venice as a rather silly plot line

Must see, Intelligent, Great staging, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if Great cast and very timely to set against the background of the Cable St Riots and Oswald Mosely and his Fascist buddies.

Don't see it if You don't like classics brought into different more modern settings.

Provocative, Reinterpreted, Tragic, Relevant, Clever

See it if Oberman's passion project is unique, nuanced and bruising. Ensemble-led and reinterpreted for London.

Don't see it if The ending was a bit strung-together and perhaps too immersive for some.

A successful recontextualization

See it if You like Shakespeare and want to see his words in a different context. Context in this production works 80% of the time & acting is great.

Don't see it if You’re not a Shakespeare fan.