FRED PRESENTS SHAKESPEARE’S The Merchant of Venice

FRED presents Shakespeare’s most controversial, yet one of his most human, plays in a stripped down and boldly imaginative promenade experience.

From within the tumult of Venice’s markets emerges a young man who needs credit to pursue his love. Antonio offers help, but in turn needs to raise credit from a moneylender. A deal is struck with a fatal forfeit if Antonio’s investments fail. Love is won, but cargo lost. The moneylender comes to collect his pound of flesh, and with it revenge for years of abuse.

Performed against the stark interiors of @A.E. Harris in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, FRED’s production focuses on the play’s language and conflicts. It asks, is there hope for a better future?

This production is especially suitable for school parties. The text has been sensitively edited to reduce the overall running time to a little over two hours, and there are additional mid-week matinees which we hope will make it easier for school parties to attend. FRED also offers a range of supporting events and materials for schools; full details of these can be found on our web site.

FREE TICKETS

FRED is committed to developing the theatre audiences of tomorrow, and is offering up to 20 free tickets to one school for the preview performance of The Merchant of Venice. Full details of this offer, together with information on how to apply, may be found on the schools’ support page of FRED’s web site.

ABOUT FRED

FRED’s mission is summed up as CLASSIC DRAMA—CONTEMPORARY THEATRE. We are looking for ways for old plays to tell new stories, to re-engage with the classics in contemporary styles. And, to do all this while maintaining affordable ticket prices.

PERFORMANCE & BOOKING INFORMATION

Dates: 9-13 October, 2012 at 7.30pm, matinees 10, 12 and 13 October at 2pm
Tickets: £12.60 (£8.40 concessions and groups)
Venue: @A.E. Harris, 110 Northwood Street, Birmingham, B3 1SZ

Booking for The Merchant of Venice is via our box office partner, the Crescent Theatre.
Telephone: 0121 643 5858, or online at www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

Please note, some tickets will be available on the day on the door, but we can only accept cash payment for these.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO TALK TO FRED:

www.fred-theatre.co.uk