WATCH: First look as the ‘Jewish’ Merchant heads to the West End

Tracy-Ann Oberman, the first British actress to play Shylock continues her groundbreaking portrayal when The Merchant of Venice 1936 transfers to the West End on February 15. Described by the Daily Telegraph as theatre that “makes history” the production transports Shakespeare’s classic to 1930s East London and gthe backdrop of the ‘Battle of Cable Street’.

With London on the brink of political unrest, fascism sweeping across Europe and Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists threatening a paramilitary march through the Jewish East End, strong-willed single mother Shylock (Oberman) runs a pawnbroking business from her house in Cable Street where Mosley will march.

When charismatic, antisemitic aristocrat Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge, and who will pay the ultimate price?

Adapted by acclaimed director Brigid Larmour from an idea by co-creator Tracy-Ann Oberman, The Merchant of Venice 1936 will run at The Criterion theatre from 15 Feb- March 23