Kupec Benátský

Translation: Martin Hilský
Director: Martin Čičvák
Stage design: Hans Hoffer
Costumes: Marija Havran
Music: Petr Kofroň
Dramaturgy: Daria Ullrichová

Although the genius playwright had no idea about capitalism and the uncertainly of financial markets, with a foresight synonymous with genius, four centuries ago he wrote a story that is still topical today, or, one is tempted to say, today in particular. The wealthy merchant Antonio believes in his investments, yet his ships loaded with goods do not return. He signs an extremely risky bill of debt with a man he despises. Shylock the Jew insists on fulfilment of the cruel bond, since in his world the world is law. Those endowed with a privileged social position should too pay off their liabilities. Yet contracts are mere words, and with a good lawyer you can outwit the other party. (On a more general level, there is a clash between the world of the merchant Antonio, the Old Testament world of Shylock and Portia’s fairy-tale, carefree Belmont – parallel, mutually exclusive worlds only living by their own values. If they do clash, then until the “pound of flesh” is extracted.) This great Shakespeare play is returning to the National Theatre after half a century.

Appearing:

Doge: Oldřich Vlček
Prince of Morocco: Paul American
Princ aragonský: Alexandr Minajev
Antonio: Igor Bareš
Bassanio: Jan Hájek
Solanio: Jan Meduna
Graziano: Jan Dolanský
Lorenzo: Lukáš Král / Jakub Prachař
Shylock:Jiří Štěpnička
Tubal: Rudolf Stärz
Lancelot: Petr Motloch
Old Gobbo: Bronislav Poloczek
Salerio:Vojtěch Kotek
Porcie: Lucie Žáčková
Nerissa: Lada Jelínková
Jessika: Pavla Beretová

Prince of Aragonia’s Mother: Marika Skopalová