Theatre Group Sanket's Play, Shylock, Puts A Spin On Shakespeare's Character

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Ten-Second Takeaway

Theatre group, Sanket's latest production, Shylock, looks at the popular Shakespearean character in a new light, while exploring other relevant concepts.

Fresh Perspective

Anyone who has read {or watched a stage adaptation of} Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice would remember the Jewish moneylender, Shylock and his ruthless demand for "a pound of flesh". While we might find him to be heartless albeit entertaining, theatreperson and director of Sanket {a theatre troupe founded by Shankar Nag in 1979}, Surendranath hopes to explore the character in a new perspective with his upcoming production, Shylock. Having edited lines from the original play and included parts from Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta, the 60-minute English play has been designed and directed by him.

Delving Deeper

Shylock-i

Veering away from portraying the controversial character as a villain or a sympathetic figure, Surendranath's work looks at Shylock as the wronged person, left with no choice but to accept his penalty. Apart from humanising him, the director depicts him as a Jew living in a ghetto outside Venice, subtly exploring concepts like minority groups. Featuring only two characters, Antonio {played by actor Nakul Bhalla} and Shylock {played by Anish Victor, known for his Koogu performance}, the play supposedly has references to the Indian political scene, making it more relevant to the present day.

When: Friday-Saturday, September 9-10

Where: Ranga Shankara, 36/2 8th Cross II Phase, JP Nagar

Price: INR 200

Timings: Shows at 7.30 pm {September 9}; 3.30pm and 7.30pm {September 10}

Contact: 080 26493982

Buy tickets for the play here.