The Merchant of Venice 1936 Tickets

Shakespeare Reinvented: Merchant of Venice 1936 Tickets

Ambition, power and turbulent politics collide on stage in Tracy-Ann Oberman’s acclaimed The Merchant of Venice 1936. Back in the West End thanks to phenomenal demand, this blistering reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic moves the story to London’s East End in the 1930s, when antisemitism and unrest were rife.

“Striking and impactful” (The Guardian), the play is at Trafalgar Theatre for a strictly limited time following sold-out runs at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

About The Merchant of Venice 1936

1936, Cable Street, East London. Infamous racist Oswald Mosley is gaining power, and members of the British Union of Fascists are marching in the streets. Shylock is a Jewish single mother and business owner who is determined to provide for her family - chief amongst them, her daughter Jessica.

When the charming but arrogant merchant Antonio asks Shylock for a loan and fails to repay it in time, she has a rare opportunity. Will she seek revenge? And will it work in her favour?

This “essential” (Metro) new version of Shakespeare’s famous play re-centres the story on the Jewish community and asks audiences to reconsider Shylock in a new light. Set during a pivotal moment in British history, its themes resonate for the 21st century and prove that Shakespeare’s work is a timeless vehicle for addressing social and personal issues. It is back in the West End ahead of a UK tour, and following two sold-out, critically acclaimed seasons in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Tracy-Ann Oberman in The Merchant of Venice

Award-winning actress Tracy-Ann Oberman stars as the Shylock. Merchant of Venice 1936 is a passion project that she developed over several years with director Brigid Larmour.

Oberman is best known as murderous Chrissie Watts in EastEnders, and her other credits include Noises Off, Present Laughter, Boeing-Boeing and Fiddler on the Roof on stage and It’s a Sin, Friday Night Dinner and Ridley Road on screen.

Book Tickets for Merchant of Venice 1936 at Trafalgar Theatre

This powerful and confronting show “makes theatre history” (The Telegraph) and is fronted by a career-best performance from Tracy-Ann Oberman. Book Merchant of Venice tickets now and get ready to see Shakespeare’s tragedy through an urgent new lens.