Tracy-Ann Oberman to star in The Merchant of Venice 1936 at Liverpool Playhouse

This February, Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is transformed into a gripping tale of resistance and resilience set against the backdrop of 1930s Britain.

Following acclaimed runs at the RSC and London’s West End, The Merchant of Venice 1936 is coming to the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 February.

The production relocates Shakespeare’s classic to the tumultuous streets of East London during the rise of Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists.

At its heart is Tracy-Ann Oberman (Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner), making history as the first British actress to play Shylock.

Her portrayal draws inspiration from her great-grandmother, a widow in the East End who stood defiantly against the growing tide of fascism.

Tracy-Ann Oberman said:

“The message of my female Shylock – based on my Great Grandma, a widow in the East End standing up to Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists, with all her neighbours and others horrified by the message of BUF – feels more pertinent than ever.

“The play is about unity, standing together against hatred and the play’s impact has been beyond my wildest hopes and ambitions for it.”   

The production is a collaboration between Tracy-Ann Oberman and director Brigid Larmour, who adapted this poignant reinterpretation together.

The cast features a talented ensemble, including:

• Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock
• Joseph Millson (The Last Kingdom, The Forsyte Saga) as Antonio / Arragon
• Georgie Fellows (Sappho, Southwark Playhouse) as Portia
• Evie Hargreaves (Vera, ITV) as Mary / Nerissa
• Mikhail Sen (The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre) as Lorenzo / Maharajah
• Elly Roberts (Sex Education, Netflix) as Stefania / Blackshirt
• Gavin Fowler (Henry V, GSC) as Bassanio
• Grainne Dromgoole (Romeo and Juliet, Cambridge Arts Theatre) as Jessica
• Xavier Starr as Gratiano / Police Constable
• Alex Zur as Yuval / Balthasar / The Duke / Blackshirt

Behind the scenes, Costume and Set Designer Liz Cooke, Lighting Designer Rory Beaton, Composer Erran Baron Cohen, and Sound Designer Sarah Weltman bring the production to life.

Set against the political unrest of the 1930s, the production takes place in Cable Street, the epicentre of the East End’s Jewish community, where Oswald Mosley’s march threatens peace and unity.

Shylock, a strong-willed single mother running a pawnbroking business, strikes a fateful deal with the charismatic yet antisemitic aristocrat Antonio.

As tensions rise, the play explores themes of revenge, justice, and the cost of hatred in a world teetering on the edge of chaos.

A post-show discussion will follow the matinee performance on Thursday, 6th February, featuring Tracy-Ann Oberman and members of the cast. The discussion is free to attend for ticket holders.

Tickets are priced from £11 to £41.

Get your tickets for The Merchant of Venice 1936 here.

For more theatre shows across the city – check out our calendar here.