In 2015, The Lord Lackbeards toured Merchant of Venice around the North Island.
In this production of The Merchant of Venice, The Lord Lackbeards explored how money – and in particular, debt – controls our lives. Today many people struggle with debt, from student loans to mortgages. People go broke because of high interest loans and irresponsible investments. While we don’t pay for our loans with our own flesh literally, like Antonio, we pay for it in other ways.
Using performance techniques from Shakespeare’s time, The Lord Lackbeards believe that Shakespeare should be as lively as he is poignant, as fun as he is serious, and as bawdy as he is sophisticated. The production was lauded as “absolute best night out in years”, “an amazing play and very enjoyable”, “brilliant” with a “superb” cast, The Lord Lackbeards returned home to the Wellington Irish Society for a raucous two weekends of performances.
“I love the Wellington Irish Society because it provides such a wonderful atmosphere for the way we do Shakespeare,” says Artistic Director Ania Upstill. “The intimate lighting and cabaret style seating makes it informal and lively, with the cast really able to play with the audience. The ability of audience members to bring their own food means it’s a family friendly and festive event. Plus, let’s be honest, nothing can beat watching a play with a pint of Guinness from the Irish Society bar!”
At just under two hours including intermission, The Merchant of Venice was accessible and alive. You might even agree with one audience member in Napier, who said that it was the “first time I ever ‘got’ Shakespeare – and even laughed!” Then again, you might end up in the same position as the audience member who wrote “I loved the performance…[and] I even got a knife thrown at me!” Either way, it will be a night to remember!
The Lord Lackbeards Touring Company 