The Merchant of Venice

Boika Sokolova and Kirilka Stavrevas second edition of the stage history of The Merchant of Venice interweaves into the chronology of James Bulmans first edition richly contextualised chapters on Max Reinhardt, Peter Zadek, and the first production of the play in Mandatory Palestine, directed by Leopold Jessner. While the focus of the book is on post-1990s productions across Europe and the USA, and on film, the Segue provides a broad survey of the interpretative shifts in the plays performance from the 1930s to the second decade of the twenty-first century. Individual chapters explore productions by Peter Zadek, Trevor Nunn, Robert Sturua, Edward Hall, Rupert Goold, Daniel Sullivan, and Karin Coonrod. An extensive film section including silent film offers close analysis of Don Selwyns Te Tangata Whai Rawa o Weniti and Michael Radfords adaptation. Accessible and engaging, the book will interest students, academics, and general readers. -- .