The canals and mansions of Venice came alive, through the unusual love story of Bassanio and Portia, and a couple of other couples, at the IIM Indore auditorium last evening. A brilliantly assembled ensemble cast performed the Bard's immortal play to perfection. Shylock, the Jew, contrasted well with the generous Antonio and his gentleman friend Bassanio.
Some of the cast was changed to female characters in this adaptation, to good effect. The Duchess of Venice (Kiara), for instance, replaced the Duke, and Lancelot, the servant who switches jobs from Shylock to serve Bassanio, was also played by a female, and quite effectively portrayed by Prachi. Students from the IPM, PGP and FPM came together to play all the roles. Shreya Surana played Portia like a veteran.
The major characters- Shylock, Portia, Antonio and Bassanio, and the supporting characters- friends of these two, the Princes of Morocco and Bombay (a change from the original), and the lady in waiting, and others, were just right for their roles. The set design, lighting and sound added to the impact, not to mention the wardrobe/dresses which made the women look beautiful, and the men elegant. It was a hat-trick of sorts for Shweta Kushal, the director, who earlier directed Where There is a Will, and The Importance of Being earnest at IIM Indore. Some glimpses of the play-
The diabolical Shylock casts a menacing shadow..
The court of the Duchess of Venice. (above)
Dramatic moments involving Bassanio (above), and the servant and her mother (below)
More drama involving Portia and Antonio (above)-
The cast (above) with the Director (centre) and a couple of backstage supporters.
The backdrops of Venice were effective in creating atmosphere
Portia (in disguise) with Shylock, and her/his clerk and accomplice while pronouncing the judgement.
