Doing Their Time

The boys are wrapping up their two week stint in New York, but there's still time to see them if you're in the area. In the meantime, here's what the city that never sleeps is saying about The Merchant of Venice....

The Village Voice examines the Shakespearean idea of "comedy" and comes to the conclusion the drama sits a bit too heavy.

Theatremania, on the other hand, understands the production's polarizing effect, seeming to fall on the positive end of the spectrum saying "while the Merchant of Venice is never an easy play to absorb, Hall and his dedicated colleagues make a fierce argument for giving it a shot" and lauding the "generally excellent" cast and Chris Myles' "powerhouse performance" (among others).

The New York Times' Charles Isherwood seems, as usual, confused as to what exactly he thought of the production, but does offer some insights about how the prison setting changes meanings in the play and goes on to laud Jon Trenchard for a performance of Jessica that is "touching in its simplicity." 

The New York Post hits the nail on the head when it points out that "Hall doesn't betray any of the cowed awe that paralyzes American directors tackling Shakespeare," praising the production for its energy and freshness.

Finally, the New York Daily News calls the show "gutsy and inventive, with bursts of ugly violence and beautiful music," though seemed to have trouble with...understanding it? Surely that's a first.