The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

SHAKESPEARE in Paradise successfully targeted its student audience this year with a Bahamianised rendition of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”, a play on the BGCSE syllabus.

The tragic comedy was adapted by director Gordon Mills and Erin Knowles to fit the context of 21st century Bahamian society.

The peas ‘n rice version of the play is known as The Merchant. It starred last week during the opening of the annual Shakespeare in Paradise theatre festival. The play follows the life of a young man by the name of Bassanio, who has no money, but wishes to go to Acklins to win the heart of a lady name Portia.

When Bassanio asks his friend Antonio to lend him money, his friend is not completely forthcoming about how his cash is tied up in a shipping business. Antonio agrees to be the guarantor if Bassanio can arrange a deal with one of the loan sharks on Bay Street. Shylock, the Haitian moneylender became wealthy from his Cash For Gold establishments and number houses.

When Bassanio and Antonio get involved with Shylock it is high stakes for all in this tale of prejudice, greed and justice.

The theatre was anything but quiet during the matinee performances that targeted students. The students clapped, cheered, and sighed one cue as they watched the live stage performance the signature Shakespeare production.

Students from Charles W Saunders and Anatol Rodgers High Schools filled just about every seat at the College of the Bahamas’ Performing Arts Centre last Thursday.

Speaking to Tribune Entertainment, Anthea Hemmings, an English Language teacher from CW Saunders, said teachers at the school are trying to enhance the literature department, and the production assisted in their efforts.

“So far, I like the Bahamian twist to the Merchant. I think the students are able to relate to (the content more than how) Shakespeare is usually presented. I appreciate that and I think the actors and actresses are very good. They are keeping them entertained and that is the whole idea,” said Ms Hemmings.

When asked how watching the play can be useful in her classroom, Ms Hemmings said: “For one, I know that we are going to have to do more reenactment of drama in the classes at school, getting them to play the parts of characters. And I got the feeling that this play helped them with their comprehension levels of the book Merchants of Venice.”

16 year old Malaak Tinker, a grade 12 CW Saunders student interpreted the play, highlighting the interdependency of people, particularly from different nationalities.

“I got that this play is talking about a Haitian guy who lends money and he has something against Bahamians, which is kind of ironic seeing that Bahamians usually have something against Haitians. In the play the Bahamian needs to borrow money from the Haitian, which is also ironic. The Haitian loans him money but certain situations come up that cause him to lose everything he had,” said Malaak.

People must be very careful how they one another, because you never know when you will need someone, said Malaak, surmising an aspect of the story.

CW Saunders senior, 17 year old Gwendia Johnson said she would definitely recommend the play to others.

“It helps teach people, like high school students, who tend to discriminate against people like Haitians. They point fingers and this play is just showing them that hey, sometimes when you look down at these people, they do the same thing to you and at the end of the day, the world is round and it is a cycle so be careful. I would recommend this play for everyone to watch,” said Gwendia.

Shakespeare in Paradise Assistant Director Erin Knowles said it was a joy to watch the students appreciate the play.