The Merchant of Venice

The second edition of Boika Sokolova and Kirilka Stavrevas' stage history of "The Merchant of Venice" explores interpretive shifts in the play's performance from the 1930s to the 21st century, including post-1990s productions across Europe and the USA, and an extensive film section. It is accessible and engaging for students, academics, and general readers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

The second edition of Boika Sokolova and Kirilka Stavrevas' stage history of The Merchant of Venice, published in 2013, offers a comprehensive and richly contextualized account of the play's theatrical journey. Interwoven with the chronology of James Bulman's first edition, the book includes chapters on influential figures such as Max Reinhardt, Peter Zadek, and the inaugural production of the play in Mandatory Palestine, directed by Leopold Jessner. While the primary focus of the book is on post-1990s productions across Europe and the USA, as well as film adaptations, the Segue provides a broad survey of the interpretative shifts in the play's performance from the 1930s to the second decade of the twenty-first century.

Individual chapters delve into productions by renowned directors such as Peter Zadek, Trevor Nunn, Robert Sturua, Edward Hall, Rupert Goold, Daniel Sullivan, and Karin Coonrod. An extensive film section, encompassing silent films, offers in-depth analysis of Don Selwyn's Te Tangata Whai Rawa o Weniti and Michael Radford's adaptation.

Written in an accessible and engaging style, the book appeals to students, academics, and general readers alike, providing a valuable resource for those interested in exploring the rich tapestry of The Merchant of Venice's theatrical history.

Weight: 598g
Dimension: 146 x 224 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526150097