The Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Merchant of Venice, this year’s annual outing of the company’s Shakespeare in the Park, did not only de-mystify the Bard but also did dis-orientate audiences, the better to acquaint one with one of the all-time more popular plays.
It is joy unconfined, to sit or slouch, lie back even, on the grassy knoll that is Fort Canning, and listen in on language that sings. (Next to being in Stratford-upon-Avon itself.)
Oh for a couple hours to be free of Singlish and soc-med-speak (NLMAO, Not).
Under the stars, the sky, fleeting bats, swifting birds, the undelivered promise of breeze, on mats with picnic baskets from various sponsors.
Ours a tub of Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, scoop & cups provided, and a pair of swish binos, thankz Haagen-Dazs!
Did I say dis-orientate? I meant a marriage of mod & medieval.
This production transported you; within the very zen-clever lineal set of upstairs-downstairs, via spiral staircase, windows interchanging walls, characters coming and going with mobile phones, iPads, and then in Elizabethan clothes, overlooking Venetian canals, talking ducats-worth of ships carrying commodities.
The world music was at once techno, and flourish of Middle Eastern. Any way you treat it, you get how relevant Merchant of Venice is, almost five centuries after Portia locks Shylock down to his pound of flesh and love conquers money, class, power.
Shakespeare in the park, where time can transcend 21st to 16th C, sci-fi to Elizabethan, sheikhs and suits, united by the Bard’s unique way with words and language.
It is the perfect setting, take a bow, no, several bows, SRT and its players, each one a creative talent.
Do not miss an SRT’s Shakespeare in the Park, bring the family, improve your language skills! A great night out ( you might want to bring a back-cushion), on till 25 May. And it starts on time. With intermission.
