Shylock
Shylock Written and Directed by Gareth Armstrong
Starring Steven Patterson
Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Orlando, FL</strong>
“They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat!” That pretty much summarizes all of Jewish history, and except for the food, that captures this rather unusual one-man show that deconstructs “The Merchant of Venice.” Steve Patterson, a tall, wild eyed man appears as Tubal, Shylock’s only companion and only the second Jew ever mentioned in the Bard’s works. With only 8 speaking lines, Tubal is down there with the Third Lord, Second Merchant, and Drunk: Fill the crowd scenes, say a word or two, then double or triple up in some other bit part. Minor as the role may be, it’s the cook view of the castle, and that’s where all the good gossip arises. From that vantage, author Armstrong takes a really good term paper and brings it to life. We examine the text of the play, the role of Jews in post-medieval history, racism, anti-Semitism, and what it is that keep Jews Jewish through more trial and tribulations than any other race seems to endure. That’s a lot of material from only 8 little lines.
While this may sound tedious, it’s actual a gripping piece. My eyes never left Patterson, and the coughing and fidgeting indicative of audience tedium never evidenced itself in the tight confines of the Goldman Theater. Tubal was a bundle of energy, probing and questioning everything thrown at him except the fundamental rightness of his ethnicity. Some segments were uncomfortable, some touching, but all relate back to the fundamental question of “Why does everyone pick on the Jews?” The answer is vague, but think of the fat kid in grade school – he was just different enough to make you feel superior, and he couldn’t fight back. That’s where Tubal leaves the audience: sympathetic, aroused, and craving a plate of Latkes.
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