THIS production must be close to what it was like to see a Shakespeare play in the sixteenth century. In contemporary dress, with few props, the occasional musical interlude, and a cast of working actors doing a great job.

Northern Broadsides is an extremely talented company whose aim is to present great drama with the minimum of frills, and it works wonderfully well.

The Merchant of Venice is a play dealing with bigotry and revenge. Of course there's comic relief and a romantic theme as well, but the plot hangs on the hatred of Jewish moneylender Shylock for Venice's Gentile merchants, and their contempt for everything he stands for.

The cruel conclusion, when Shylock is finally brought to what passes for justice, is shocking and the man is completely humiliated. The moment when merchant Antonio approaches the kneeling Jew and snatches Shylock's kippah from his head, thus removing the outward sign of his Jewishness, is a poignant one. Barrie Rutter's murmured "I am content" emphasises the loss of everything he holds dear; his daughter, his riches and worst of all, his religion.

Rutter is a strong Shylock, with no apparent virtues to engage our sympathy, and his hate-fuelled insistence in claiming his pound of flesh from Antonio should turn us against him, but his total annihilation gives us the uncomfortable feeling that perhaps we're not on the side of the angels after all.

Even following its brilliant refurbishment, the Georgian has the least comfortable seating in the region. Take a cushion.

Sue Heath

l Until Saturday, May 22.

Box Office (01748) 825252

Published: 20/05/2004