The critically acclaimed, sold-out production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice starring Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock is returning to London’s West End.
The Merchant of Venice 1936 will play the Trafalgar Theatre in London for a strictly limited season from 28 December 2024 to 25 January 2025.
The production will then tour the UK, with eight weeks of dates including Liverpool, Bath, Southend, Salford, Fareham, Leeds and Cardiff – see tour dates, below.
The Merchant of Venice 1936 is directed and adapted by Brigid Larmour from an idea by co-creator Tracy Ann-Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner), who stars as Shylock.
Further casting is to be announced.
The drama is set in 1930’s London on the brink of political unrest and with fascism sweeping across Europe.
In the play, tensions in London’s East End are rising and Shylock, a resilient single mother and hard-working businesswoman, is desperate to protect her daughter’s future. When the charismatic merchant Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge, and who will pay the ultimate price?
The Merchant of Venice 1936 originally started its run at Watford Palace Theatre in February 2023 and has played a number of other UK venues including the RSC’s Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and Wilton’s Music Hall in London. The play also had its first West End run, at the Criterion Theatre, in February and March 2024.
Joining Brigid Larmour in the creative team are Costume and Set Design by Liz Cooke, Lighting Design by Rory Beaton, Sound Design by Sarah Weltman, and Video Design by Greta Zabulyte. The Composer is Erran Baron Cohen, and Annabel Arden is Associate / Movement Director. The Associate Director is Tracy-Ann Oberman.
Tracy-Ann Oberman said in a statement: “I am so delighted that, by popular demand, MOV1936 is coming back into the West End so soon after we finished. Demand has been so high that I feel bringing it back, and this time to the beautiful Trafalgar Theatre and then on a national tour, is essential. The message of my female Shylock – based on my Great Grandma, a widow in the East End standing up to Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists, with all her neighbours and others horrified by the message of BUF – feels more pertinent than ever. The play is about unity, standing together against hatred and the play’s impact has been beyond my wildest hopes and ambitions for it.”
The Merchant of Venice 1936 is playing at the West End’s Trafalgar Theatre from 28 December 2024 to 25 January 2025.
Currently playing at the Trafalgar Theatre is People, Places and Things starring Denise Gough until 10 August 2024, followed The 39 Steps starring Tom Bryne from 16 August to 28 September 2024, and then The Duchess starring Jodie Whittaker from 5 October to 20 December 2024. .
Book tickets to The Merchant of Venice 1936 at the Trafalgar Theatre in London
The Merchant of Venice 1936 – UK Tour
London: Trafalgar Theatre
28 December 2024 – 25 January 2025
Liverpool: Playhouse Theatre
4 – 8 February 2025
Bath: Theatre Royal
11 – 15 February 2025
Southend: Palace Theatre
18 – 22 February 2025
Salford: Lowry
25 February – 1 March 2025
Fareham Live
4 – 8 March 2025
Leeds: Playhouse Theatre
11 – 15 March 2025
Cardiff: New Theatre
18 – 22 March 2025
Birmingham: Repertory Theatre
1 – 5 April 2025
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