Introduction: Design and Staging

Abstract

The five main productions I will discuss are as follows:

• 1. The National Theatre Production of 1970, directed by Jonathan Miller; Laurence Olivier as Shylock; Joan Plowright as Portia; Anthony Nicholls as Antonio; Jeremy Brett as Bassanio; designed by Julia Trevelyan Oman. Directed for television by John Sichel, 1973.

• 2. The RSC studio production of 1978, directed by John Barton; Patrick Stewart as Shylock; Marjoric Bland/Lisa Harrow as Portia; David Bradley as Antonio; John Nettles as Bassanio; designed by Christopher Morley.

• 3. The BBC-TV production of 1980, produced by Jonathan Miller; directed by Jack Gold; Warren Mitchell as Shylock; Gemma Jones as Portia; John Franklyn-Robbins as Antonio; John Nettles as Bassanio; designed by Oliver Bayldon.

• 4. The RSC main house production of 1981, directed by John Barton; David Suchet as Shylock; Sinead Cusack as Portia; Tom Wilkinson as Antonio; Jonathan Hyde as Bassanio; designed by Christopher Morlcy.

• 5. The RSC main house production of 1984, directed by John Caird; Ian McDiarmid as Shylock; Frances Tomelty as Portia; Christopher Ravenscroft as Antonio; Adam Bareham as Bassanio; designed by Ultz.