Merchant of Venice.
Trial Scene
William Shakespeare was born on 23rd April 1564 and baptised on 26th. He was a prominent English playwright and poet who is seen as the finest writer in the English Language. William was the son of John Shakespeare. He was a successful alderman (member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions) and farmer as well as being a worker for other jobs, and Mary Arden, the mother of William, was the daughter of a wealthy landowning farmer. Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon along with seven other siblings of whom he was the third.
Between 1585 and 1592 he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of the playing company the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. His career, and what we know him for, escalated from the end of then onwards, as he produced most of his work between 1590 and 1613.
Within his time, Shakespeare has written many poems, 154 sonnets and 38 plays. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, Merchant of Venice being one of the comedies. Merchant of Venice is perhaps more remembered for its dramatic scenes, and is best known for the character of Shylock. The trial scene is the longest in the play and stands as one of the most dramatic scenes in all of Shakespeare's work.
This is the section of the play in which would be re-enacted in modern form.
In live performance, Shakespeare's version of this dramatic piece was displayed in The Globe Theatre. It was an open air theatre which means there was no shelter over a certain area. The position of accommodation depended on your wealth status. If you were affluent, you would be seated within the balcony seats, average, within standard seating and if you were poor you would be placed to stand at the bottom in the middle. If the weather was unfortunate, for example raining, ...
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This is the section of the play in which would be re-enacted in modern form.
In live performance, Shakespeare's version of this dramatic piece was displayed in The Globe Theatre. It was an open air theatre which means there was no shelter over a certain area. The position of accommodation depended on your wealth status. If you were affluent, you would be seated within the balcony seats, average, within standard seating and if you were poor you would be placed to stand at the bottom in the middle. If the weather was unfortunate, for example raining, then you would be affected terribly. In this case becoming wet. Although this was a fault for some, The Globe Theatre was quite popular. It could accommodate two to three thousand people. That was a great amount in those days.
Unlike the Globe Theatre, Wembley Stadium is a well known site to all persons. This is where I would position my modern version of the play. Wembley Stadium is in London, Middlesex. Quite a journey depending on what area you are from but for the play, all would be worth it. Seating holds 90,000 people which would be very relevant as the show I would present would be very popular. Out-selling in fact. This is due to advertising. Posters, flyers, TV adverts, the list is endless, but many resources would be used to display the up-coming play. All types of audiences would be welcome.
The Globe Theatre Wembley Stadium
The stage would be decorated with white or cream backdrops to give a mellow effect. Modern-day, adjustable halogen downlights would be situated in all areas of the ceiling but two main large spotlights would be at either end to give a more full-on impact. As well as music, props used in the Victorian times would be similar to props that would be used in my modern adaptation of this play, simply to keep the Victorian-type atmosphere within the performance.
To keep the audience amused when necessary, and to ensure that they are familiarised with actors to keep them focused, I would have the legendary characters of the Bbc1 television programme, Eastenders, to perform as all characters that appear in the Trial Scene. The characters within this scene are: Antonio, Shylock, Portia and Bassanio. I would set Charlie Clements, who is known as 'Bradley Branning' in Eastenders, as Antonio because Charlie's role as the character he plays, involves him being soft, loving and kind-hearted; similar to Antonio who is someone who loves his friends and is merciful to Shylock. Phil Mitchell, an East End 'hardnut' within the show, also known as Steve McFadden, would take the role of Shylock. This is simply because 'Phil' usually has to deal with problems, especially involving violence or money, which is similar to the problem that Shylock is faced with within this scene. Also because Shylock is a man who is supposedly filled with hatred and has much revenge towards Antonio.
Portia, a well intelligent lady who loves Bassanio, and who saves Antonio from the knife, would be played by Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Branning. "Stacey" is not always portrayed as loving and a saviour, but in playing the role of Portia, I believe Lacey would be able to switch her persona and become the heroine she's destined to be. Like Lacey, Elliot Jordan, who plays Callum Monks, would also have to play the opposite part of his position in Eastenders in order to take the role of Bassanio. Worthy is Bassanio; he is a gentleman and a dear friend of Antonio, who loves Portia. I have chosen these four Eastenders characters because I believe Charlie, Steve, Lacey, and Elliot would be able to fulfil the requirements of the characters, and play the parts effectively.
Although my edition of this play is more of a modern version, the characters would be dressed in similar type of costumes that were used in the Victorian times but fewer thrills and more cufflinks at the end of clothing. Mainly suits for the men and possibly suitable dresses and "work suits" for the ladies.
Food or refreshment areas would be open throughout the whole play due to the amount of individuals that would be attending the performance. The standard crisps, sweets, soft drinks etc, would be on display for sale. A slight increase in price would be placed on all food and drink for promotional reasons. Prices on a whole would be very high for the production of the entire play, because of extreme measures that would be taken in the construction of the show. An estimated price is not available.
With all these factors stated above, I believe the play would be a complete success. There shall be faults along the way of production, but with much faith and effort, a hopeful admired play would be formed.
Alika Smith
English Coursework
Task: To present the trial scene in modern form. - Written piece.
