Shakespeare in Performance: Stage Production
The Merchant of Venice (1741, The Drury Lane Company)
| Title | The Merchant of Venice |
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| Year | 1741 |
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| Theater Company | The Drury Lane Company |
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| Release Locations | UK
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| Languages | English |
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| Play Connections | The Merchant of Venice (performance)
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Description
Widely considered Charles Macklin's greatest performance. Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice hadn't been acted since 1701; George Granville's adaptation, The Jew of Venice, was the preferred version. Macklin wanted to restore the original text (with a few edits of his own) and resolved to play Shylock as a serious character. For his performance he received lavish praise from nobility and critics. Alexander Pope, upon seeing Macklin's performance, commented, "This is the Jew / That Shakespeare drew."
Performance Chronicle Gatekeeper — Added 2011-06-17
Cast Overview
Company Overview