The Merchant of Venice At New Theatre Cardiff

Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner) is joined by acclaimed actor Joseph Millson (The Last Kingdom, The Forsyte Saga, RSC Associate Artist) in the critically acclaimed production of The Merchant of Venice 1936, for its strictly limited West End season at the Trafalgar Theatre (28 December – 25 January) and subsequent UK tour in 2025.

Back by popular demand following a sold-out run at the Criterion Theatre earlier this year, Shakespeare’s enduring classic is transported to 1930s East London against a backdrop of political unrest and the Battle of Cable Street.

After the West End season, this groundbreaking production will embark on a second UK tour for eight weeks. Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in this “striking and impactful” (The Guardian) production that “makes theatre history” (Daily Telegraph). This “fascinating and timely” (Daily Mail) production is adapted by Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann Oberman.

With the city on the brink of political unrest, fascism sweeping across Europe and Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists threatening a paramilitary march through the Jewish East End, strong-willed single mother Shylock runs a pawnbroking business from her house in Cable Street where Mosley will march.  When charismatic, antisemitic aristocrat 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?