THE DUKE OF VENICE M. WARREN THE PRINCE OF MOROCCO Suitor to Portia D. BENDER THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON Suitor to Portia G. CHARNOCK ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice M. NEVILLE BASSANIO, his friend, likewise suitor to Portia I. BARRS SALANIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio K. SHOREY SALARINO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio N. PRICE GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio J. STEGGEL LORENZO, in love with Jessica G. ALLSOPP SHYLOCK, a rich Jew T. PARKS TUBAL, a Jew, his friend D. GILBERT LAUNCELOT GOBBO, servant to Shylock C. LEY OLD GOBBO, his father M. NEVILLE BALTHASAR, servant to Portia E. LEESON PORTIA, a rich heiress JENNIFER PEVERALL NERISSA, her waiting maid CHRISTINE ROUSE JESSICA, daughter to Shylock JILL BREARLEY Lords, Attendants, Masquers etc SUZAN SMITH, ANNE SWEENEY, JOANNE HARRIS, BARBARA SMITH, ELAINE BADDELEY, JULIA LOGAN, MARGARET RAWLINGS, J. PLATT, P. CHAMBERLAIN, A. BROOKES, G. MIDGLEY, B. BENDER, P. BENFIELD, S. JORY, G. ADAMS, S. HOBDEN, P. SAMPSON, P. PLATT, A. WRIGHT, R. FITCH The action takes place at Venice and at Belmont, seat of Portia, on the Continent. There will be one interval of about fifteen minutes. THE PLAY IS PRODUCED BY K.I. JARDINE and J.J. ALDERMAN SETTING and WARDROBE MISS P.M. NEWTON SCENERY CONSTRUCTION C.W. SUTCLIFFE LIGHTING C THORNTON and Senior Boys MAKE-UP MRS. M. BAGGS, MISS M. COLLING, the Cast and Senior Girls STAGE MANAGEMENT T. HUMPHREYS MUSIC R.N. WHITE DANCE MISS V. LUKS BUSINESS MANAGER A.E. SPARROW and J.B. ALLATT Although Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" is traditionally called a comedy, it is not really a comedy in the modern sense. It's vein of light humour is overlaid with an almost fairy-tale romance, and overshadowed by the drama of Shylock's revenge. Antonio, a rich merchant, lends Bassanio, his friend, money to assist him to win Portia, a rich heiress, but since his wealth is invested in ships trading abroad, the loan is arranged through Shylock a Jewish money lender. A strange bargain is struck between the Jew, a hated alien, and the Christians, and as the Jew has little cause to wish his borrowers well, a dark revenge is the only result we can expect. At Belmont, Portia awaits the arrival of suitors of noble birth, who, by her father's will, can only win her by choosing, from three caskets, the one that contains her portrait.