Shylock (play)
Shylock is a monologue in one 80-minute act written by Canadian playwright
The play focuses on a Jewish actor named Jon Davies, who is featured as
Background
In the comedy The Merchant of Venice, the character of Shylock lends a fellow merchant money.[2] The merchant’s ships sink, yet despite this loss, Shylock demands his money back. His defiant nature supposedly stems from a desire to avenge the unfair treatment of his Jewish people by Christians. Shylock is ultimately humiliated by the Christian court, his daughter disobeys him and marries out of race, and he is swindled out of his bond and forced to convert. At the time it was written, in 16th-century Venice, Jewish citizens were locked in the ghetto at nighttime and were forced to wear identifying hats during the day.[3]
Plot
The main character, Jewish actor Jon Davies, asserts that
The producers inform Davies that they will have to close early because of the bad publicity.[5] At the final performance, Davies emerges after the final act in full costume and make-up, stripping off the character layer by layer as he speaks, until he stands before the audience to be judged as himself. Davies, a well-educated thespian, clarifies that Shylock was met with antagonism not because of outrage at his portrayal, but because of his recognized status as villain of the play. He closes the narrative by arguing that art and theatre should be provocative and challenging, regardless of potentially offensive or uncomfortable subjects.
Themes
The play addresses questions surrounding the diverse nature of art, the role and duties of the artist and the theatre in regards to audience reaction and critical response. Jon decides to play Shylock not as a victim, but as a villain, causing conflict due to his own Jewish heritage and his layered portrayal of Shylock’s character. Questions of historical revisionism, cultural manipulation, and political correctness lead to accusations of racism and of Jon as a “self-hating Jew”, forcing him to reassess his interpretation of the character as an actor, as well as his own persona.[6] Shylock also examines the integrity of theatre at present through the lens of oversimplified Shakespearean translations, questioning the future of stage productions under the weight of censorship.[7]
Responses
Shylock has received overwhelmingly positive critical and popular response, the script having been staged across Canada and the United States.[8] The play has been continually praised by reviewers for directly confronting the controversy surrounding Antisemitism in The Merchant of Venice. Writer Douglas J. Keating of the Inquirer Theatre Critic commends Leiren-Young for making “it clear what he thinks about the issues surrounding The Merchant of Venice while presenting “the controversy about its performance and censorship fully and fairly”. Its clutter-free set creates an intimate, relatable setting, while its dialogue is praised for adeptly engaging the audience with wit and humor. The Vancouver Courier calls the work “Dangerous, daring and provocative”. Michael Turner in Canada’s National Post deems Shylock “an effective piece of writing” garnering a “lively” and engaged response from audience members.[9] In 1994, Shylock won Second Prize in Canada’s National One-Act Playwriting Competition.
References
- ^ Charlesbois, Gaetan. “Shylock”. Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. 18 June 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2013
- ^ Lefkowitz, David. “Satirical ‘Shylock’ Opens Feb. 25 at PA’s Walnut”. Playbill Inc. 25 February 1998. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ Woodend, Dorothy. “Sympathy for Shylock”. The Tyee. 14 January 2005. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ Holahan, Jane. “A Controversial Character gets a Controversial Interpretation in ‘Shylock’”. Lancaster Online. 23 December 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ Barefoot, Darren. “Shylock”. Geist: North of America. Metro Publisher. 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ Kopfinger, Stephen. “Shylock has his day on stage at Stahr”. Lancaster Online. 18 September 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ Blanchard, Sarah. “’Shylock’ challenges views of censorship, timelessness of theater”. The Vermilion. 19 September 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ Buntin, Mat. “Shylock”. Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project. Ed. D. Fischlin. 2004. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ Wanderlust Theatre Co. “Shylock by Mark Leiren-Young, Featuring M. Brady McKellar”. Wanderlust Theatre. 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2013.