The Merchant of Venice

Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch

23 April 2012

Shylock is bear-like,

all beard and smile,

but holding his own

with intractable guile.

Nubile Portia is nymph-like

and cool,

a sweet, spoiled heiress

who won’t bear a fool;

but she wins as the doctor

in smart, sober suit,

and is more than a match

for the men in the court.

There’s a lovely, soft moment

of quiet commune,

in the gardens at Belmont

beneath a full moon,

and the music that plays there

is haunting and sweet,

giving pause to a play

that is run off its feet.

The boys are all daring

in ‘80s excess,

they are party-prepared

and dressed up to impress.

The caskets are brilliant,

a moment of fun

to sum up a production

that won’t be undone,

though it struggles with modern day theory

and thought,

yet it pulls it off gamely

with singing and sport.

Josie Taylor as Portia, Matt Devitt as Shylock

The Merchant of Venice plays until 12 May at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch

 www.queens-theatre.co.uk/