The Merchant of Venice

The National Theatre Company, headed by the late Sir Laurence Olivier, perform this production of Shakespeare's play.

In Venice of the 1880s, Jewish moneylender Shylock (Olivier) provides young Antonio (Anthony Nichols) with a loan, stating that if it is not repaid he will claim a pound of flesh.

When Antonio's bond defaults, Shylock attempts to claim his grisly compensation in a court of law, but Portia (Joan Plowright) pleads Antonio's case.