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

86%

(514 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 (47)

80%

Clever, Edgy, Great Acting, Masterful, Relevant

See it if you like Tracy-Ann Oberman and modern adaptions of old texts.

Don't see it if you don't like the plot.

80%

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.

28%

Cliched, Confusing

See it if You don’t mind Shakespeare being mixed - out of context - with anti fascist rhetoric

Don't see it if The end ruined a decent performance. Read more

90%

Absorbing, Clever, Delightful, Enchanting, Entertaining

See it if Actors greeting at start of the show

Don't see it if Seat was a little difficult to see from

75%

Ambitious, Clever, Confusing, Great Acting, Relevant

See it if You want to see a great play portraying the rise of anti-Semitism in the UK in the 1930s. The actors performance is absorbing.

Don't see it if You expect this to be Shakespeare's classic. The ending is a bit confusing but the last act is great.

86%

Absorbing, Great Acting, Great Staging, Intelligent, Must See

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.

100%

Absorbing, Ambitious, Enchanting, Entertaining, Great Acting

See it if Absorbing

Don't see it if You're an antisemite

81%

Absorbing, Ambitious, Clever

See it if A very good production well acted and executed the nuances of the rather unattractive characters in the play were highlighted

Don't see it if I found the ending rushed and over egged we got the point we didn't need the 'stronger together mantra which spoiled it really Read more