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Adapted from Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of
Venice' and set in Toronto, Canada, end of 19th Century.
Bay Street businessmen, Anthony, Basil and Lawrence belong to the same
Bay Street private club and their fortunes are intertwined. Anthony and
Basil borrow money from a wealthy Jewish money-lender, Shylock, whom they
despise, trying to cheat him, finally. Lawrence, a fortune hunter, persuades
the daughter of Shylock to steal from her father, then runs off with Jessica.
Basil, having spent his inherited fortune, woos and wins the hand of Portia,
a wealthy Rosedale heiress. Portia goes to court, disguised as a lawyer
to defend Basil's friend Anthony when Shylock takes Anthony before a Judge
to demand that the man who cheated him be given lashes.
12 Characters: Anthony, Basil, Lawrence, Shylock, Jessica, Portia, Nessie,
Launcelot Gobbo, Old Gobbo, Sheik of Morocco, Governor of Alaska, Tobias.
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Picture from charity production
at Stage III, Toronto
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Tobias, Basil and Governor of Alaska |
Portia's altar in the Rosedale mansion, holding the three
metal caskets of gold, silver and lead, from which her suitors must choose
according to Portia's father's will if one is to take her hand. |
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The Sheik of Morocco, the first suitor for Portia's
hand, poised to choose one of the caskets (gold, silver or lead) on the
dais altar in Portia's Rosedale mansion. |
Portia entering the terrace of her house in Rosedale,
preparing to receive her final suitor, Basil. |
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Portia (in Lawyer's robes) with the Sheik of Morocco. |
Portia, the Rosedale Heiress, about to recieve one of the
suitors for her hand in marriage. |
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