We would like to thank the Co-operative for their continued support
“But love is blind and love cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit.”Merchant of Venice Act11 Sc V1

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The tour season continues next June-July 2009 with the Romantic Comedy THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. The itinerary to date is listed in EVENTS.
This will be our 7th Summer season.
Our Summer 2008 production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW received our best reviews to date ( see REVIEWS) and record audiences after 6 Summers of touring. Thank you to those who supported our work so strongly.
We can confirm our return to each of our established venues including Skipton Castle, Burton Manor (on the Wirral), Worden Hall (Leyland), Whalley Abbey, Turton Tower (near Bolton) and the Priory (Lydiate), Please check EVENTS for full listings.


(See REVIEWS for full biographies.)

  SUMMER   SHAKESPEARE  TOUR   2009.
The Merchant of Venice                   Dramatis Personae  
Antonio     a merchant                                  Peter Sundby
Bassanio    a lord                                         Tom Crook
Gratiano   friend to Antonio and Bassanio          Richard Calder
Shylock     a rich money lender                        David Rex
Portia       a rich heiress                               Brigid Lohrey
Nerissa     lady in waiting to Portia                   Bernadette Nuttall
Duke of Venice  and
Prince of Morocco  suitor to Portia                        Tony Bond
Prince of Arragon   suitor to Portia                       Dean Taylor

Musical Director               Eileen Guppy
Musician/Vocalist              Jenny Brierley
 Artistic Director              Dean Taylor

For the Production            Kathleen Fleet, Jean Davis, Jim Davis.

We are delighted to welcome to our cast Tom Crook who has recently completed a nationwide repertory tour of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest.     (Details in The ENEMBLE sections)

New Music.


From the Royal Northern College of Music we welcome Eileen Guppy and Jenny Brierley who have been commissioned to compose a brand new score for the play.
Dean Taylor asked  for a Jazz feel to the score to act as both theme and an incidental accompaniment. Instruments will include clarinet, strings, keyboard and vocals. They will be playing live at each performance.  (Details in The ENSEMBLE section.)


Making Theatre Enjoyable For All

DAVID  REX   to play   SHYLOCK

David Rex has been confirmed as the Jew of Venice for this summer’s tour of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE .  David has toured regularly with the company since 2005. Patrons will remember his warm and comical  BAPTISTA  in last season’s THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Says Mr Rex,  “Shylock is one of the great Shakespearean roles. I’m eager for this most demanding of challenges. Summer cannot come round fast enough for me.”

 

 

 

BRIGID LOHREY and PETER SUNDBY RETURN

Brigid Lohrey who triumphed as  KATHARINA , the vociferous, fantastic Shrew last season,  returns this summer as PORTIA, the rich romantic heiress who becomes a learned Doctor of Law in order for justice to be done. Brigid has been part of our company for the last four tours taking major parts and leading our Workshop group.

Peter Sundby, in marked contrast to his hilariously idiosyncratic portrayal of HORTENSIO in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW  returns for a fifth season. This time as the Venitian  Merchant  ANTONIO  who finds himself at the mercy of the pungent SHYLOCK.  “ I shall relish the role,” says Peter, “ Is Antonio victim or perpetrator?”