His performance as Shylock last night made many of us question the anti-Semitism and prejudice in society. His most interesting comment came when he was asked about his chilling final scene in which Shylock loses the trial and is forced to become a Christian. The diversity of reactions in the audience, ranging from gasps to sighs to giggles showed what a truly relevant issue this still is in today’s society, just as it was in Shakespeare’s. Heald said that he felt Antonio was trying to do the right thing and save Shylock’s soul, not “punish” him.
At 1:30 PM we attended She Loves Me, a musical comedy which inspired the film You’ve Got Mail. I find myself still thinking of the great humor and adorable melodies. The spectacle of the set, costumes, music and physical comedy all made me take a deep sigh of relief after spending the beginning of the week in the realm of drama and tragedy.
In the evening we saw Twelfth Night. Christopher Liam Moore, a Southern Californian actor I have seen at the Pasadena Playhouse in As You Like It delivered a fantastic performance full of pomp. His fall was long and hard. After being confined in a giant birdcage as Malvolio, he returned beaten physically and mentally damaged. Michael Elich as Feste reminded me very much of Ben Kingsley in the film adaptation.
I was also please to see the sadness and tragic romance Brooke Parks brought to the role of Viola. In contrast I found Miriam Laube’s Olivia too silly for my taste.
All in all, a perfectly charming day at the theatre filled with laughter and smiles.
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