The Merchant of Venice at the Lyceum: A Must-See Theatrical Triumph

A gift from me to my husband for Christmas, in our bid to embrace a little more culture in 2025, I booked The Merchant of Venice on a whim – and I’m so glad I didn’t miss it. Spellbinding performances and challenging themes left us with much to discuss as we stepped out of our favourite theatre back into the Edinburgh night.

Directed by Arin Arbus for New York’s Theatre for a New Audience, this production at the Royal Lyceum is a powerful exploration of societal prejudice and human worth. John Douglas Thompson’s Shylock is a deeply compelling figure, his warmth and dignity eroded by the casual cruelty of those around him. Opposite him, Alfredo Narciso’s Antonio is all tech-bro affluence, his outward sensitivity undercut by ingrained antisemitism. Isabel Arraiza’s Portia masterfully navigates a world that seeks to control her, turning the system to her advantage with sharp intelligence and restraint.

The staging is stark yet evocative, placing the focus firmly on the dehumanizing effects of materialism and power. The final moments, as Shylock and his estranged daughter Jessica recite Hebrew, are quietly devastating—a reminder of those left on the outside of a selectively tolerant society.

Only running until February 15th, The Merchant of Venice is an unmissable, thought-provoking take on Shakespeare’s most complex play. Catch it if you can.