MADC’s annual event will this year see being staged in full period costume at San Anton Gardens, Attard, in July. Booking is now open at www.madc.
com.mt, with an early bird offer for a very limited time. Starring Stephen Oliver as Shylock and Edward Caruana Galizia as Antonio, the merchant of Venice himself, the cast of MADC’s also includes Julia Camilleri as Portia and Gianluca Mifsud as Bassanio, among a large and talented ensemble.
The tale begins with Bassanio, an aristocratic but poor young man of Venice, who has fallen in love with Portia, a wealthy and beautiful lady of Belmont. But he needs money to woo her, so he turns to his friend Antonio, the merchant of Venice, for a loan. Antonio, whose assets are tied up in business ventures, borrows from a moneylender named Shylock, signing a bond agreeing to give Shylock a pound of his flesh if he doesn’t settle the debt by a certain date.
When that date arrives still unpaid, a trial ensues, with Shylock’s claim to a pound of Antonio’s flesh brought before the duke – but all is not what it seems in the courtroom. “ is Shakespeare’s funny and romantic courtroom thriller, with the Bard at his boldest, most dangerous and most entertaining,” Oliver says. “As we return to San Anton Gardens for another Shakespeare production under the stars, we invite everyone to experience the magic of live theatre with a timeless story, remarkable performances and an enchanting outdoor setting, which promises to be a highlight.
