Peter O'Toole, Patrick Stewart and Antony Sher have all made stunning Shylocks which versions of this problematic play have you been sold on?Obviously, The Merchant of Venice poses a problem in the modern world. But I'm struck by how successful it's been on the postwar stage for two basic reasons: directors increasingly give it a strong social context and realise it's as much a play about money as race or religion. …
SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:00AM on April 13, 2014