The Merchant of Vegas

It is 1am England time and I just got back from my first live Shakespeare performance at the Royal Shakespeare theater in Stratford-upon-Avon. It was about a two hour drive from the college, so I had a chance to enjoy the view of rolling greens, cows and sheep. Once we arrived in Stratford, I saw for the first time real English tourism. When walking a town completely dedicated to Shakespeare (his birthplace, death place, house, wife's house) one would expect lots of busy visitors bustling around noisily just like you see in America. It was not the case. The streets were hushed in a sort of respectful reverence, even in the prime of the day. I must say, I was impressed.

After an hour or so of free roam, the group met back up for a pre-show talk with Scott Handy, the actor who was going to play Antonio in tonight's show. It turns out, Scott is a former student of the professor who's teaching my Shakespeare class this summer. It was fascinating listening to Scott speak of adapting to roles, levels of audience interaction and how hard it is after weeks of rehearsal to really make yourself believe what is happening on stage. perhaps my favorite quote from him was in regards to his character, Antonio, and how his director wanted him to interact with the other characters. It was to be "like a watercolor in a world of oils," which I thought just beautiful.

Then, at 7:15 Julia, Caiti and I gathered in the theater and were greeted by a full Las Vegas set. Tonight's show was set in Vegas, with full on American humor. The costumes were lavish and contained everything from feather boas and fishnets to tourists with mismatched plaid outfits. Each actor brought on a different version of an "American accent" including Scott (Antonio) who told us he was assigned 'standard American'. The stage changed from slot machines and tables to a game show setting (when Portia was playing pick-a-casket to find her new husband)to a prison holding room, each set wilder than the last.

As far as a review for the show, I was not a fan. It was crazy and wild and in pursuit of making something that was already a great comedy, more humorous. It was almost as if the director were simplifying Shakespeare for the masses to understand. Being a traditionalist, if I had come into the show thinking of it as its one entity and not Merchant, I would have enjoyed it more.

The final nail in the coffin on my dislike of the show was the total nightmare that was Portia. Not only was she portrayed as an air-headed, southern bell with no real stamina or wit of her own, she ended the play spinning in a circle, crying and holding her blond wig in a manner that should have landed her in a straight jacket. I may be bitter, but Portia is supposed to be a strong, female heroine. That is what Shakespeare intended, not a silly girl who ruins my favorite line in the play by chewing gum loudly and grabbing herself.

To spare you more of my rants of the ruining of my favorite female role ever, I'll leave you with this. Today was an adventure full of learning and puzzlement and I am oh so anxious for my next play coming up in the near future.