The Merchant of Venice: Play Production

So I was able to go to the play The Merchant of Venice on Thursday night. Thank goodness! I wasn't able to get my ticket in time for the Saturday morning version, so I had to try and fit it in somehow! So my version of the play will be slightly different...

Dominant Culture: Tharian
Non-dominant Culture: Curan
Setting: Stratford, 1600s
Business in...: Cantina
Portia's land...: Narnia
Money: Galleons

What I really enjoyed about the play was the audience interaction throughout. Apparently, each audience had the opportunity to change a few of the details regarding the play, making each performance unique to that particular audience. Also, it was so kid friendly! I guess that makes sense, because the performance group travels around performing for grade schools and junior highs. The program was geared towards children, allowing them to sit on the floor, right where the actors were. Also, when I looked in the program for the performance, there were several activities that kids could do, with a bunch of fun facts about Shakespeare.
Although designed specifically for children, there were still several things about the play that made it interesting for adults. I thought it was particularly interesting that Antonio was played by a woman, and was regarded as "Antonia" throughout the play. I had read that it was possible that in the actual play, it could be interpreted that Antonio had feelings for Bassanio. By making Antonio a woman in the performance, it made that possibility even more real.
As I was watching the performance, I was also considering why several of the details were switched up. By changing the major cultures into anything the audience wants, it makes the performance more playful. I think it also makes it easier for everyone to relate to the play in an unbiased sort of way. By not including Christians or Jews as the main faiths, any misconceptions
concerning either faith is done away with.
One of the focuses of the performance was to educate the audience in how to handle differences between people in an appropriate manner, rather than by bullying or picking on someone. I feel that in order to effectively portray that, it was important to eliminate any bias on the audience's part.
All in all, I really enjoyed the performance, and I'm thankful I was able to see it :)