New Merchant of Venice tackles antisemitism through a Jewish mother

Bad timing for a play mired in antisemitism? BEN MARGALITH, director of a new production of Shakespeare’s most controversial play, doesn’t agree.

The Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s newest production is an uncomfortable choice for the local Jewish community already burdened by the toll of rising antisemitism.

The Merchant of Venice, set to run from December 1–23 in St Kilda’s Botanical Gardens, is always problematic and contemporary directors and actors, many of them Jewish, struggle with how to deal with play’s antisemitism. It’s natural to question the timing and necessity of the play in the wake of the October 7 attacks and the rise in antisemitism which has accompanied the Gaza War.

But director Ben Margalith – who is Jewish and has family in Israel – says the current climate presents a perfect opportunity to open a critical dialogue about identity, bias and discrimination.

“I don't think there's ever a perfect time to stage a play and tragically, antisemitism is a scourge that's affected the community long before this play was written and has sadly continued through to this day,” Margalith told Plus 61J Media.

“From our perspective, art is meant to inspire, it's meant to move people, it's meant to challenge people, it's meant to create hopeful thoughts and reflection – and our hope is that [The Merchant of Venice] will lead to more active conversations.

“I think it's always a perfect time to engage in and open ourselves to a conversation of the effects of antisemitism.”

To help educate audiences, several matinee sessions will conclude with a “talkback” conversation between the cast, crew and audience to unpack the themes of the play. A content warning will also be included for those who may not be familiar with the subject matter.

Margalith said the backdrop of the Gaza War had already prompted conversations with members of the public who have passed by the park during rehearsals. Ticket sales have not noticeably been impacted and he is not concerned about security.