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PRODUCTION: Merchant Of Venice (Comedy) PRODUCTION DATE: May 1975 DIRECTED BY: John Poulson STAGED: The Martlets Hall, Burgess Hill SYNOPSIS: Bassanio, a young Venetian,wants to travel to Belmont to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia. He approaches his friend Antonio, a merchant, for 3000 ducats needed to subsidize his travelling. As all of Antonio's ships and merchandise are tied at sea, Antonio approaches the Jewish moneylender Shylock for a loan. Shylock, hateful of Antonio, proposes a malicious condition that if Antonio is unable to repay the loan on the specified date, Shylock will be free to take a pound of Antonio's flesh from where ever he pleases. Although Bassanio does not want Antonio to accept such a condition for his sake, Antonio surprised by what he sees as the moneylender's generosity, signs the agreement and the story of Bassanio's & Antonio's adventures unfold. PLAYWRIGHT: William Shakespeare lived for 52 years. In just 23 years, between approximately 1590 and 1613, he is attributed with writing 38 plays, 154 sonnets and 5 other poems. The Merchant Of Venice date of composition is believed to be between 1594 and 1597.
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