The Merchant of Venice | Auckland Shakespeare in the Park

Enjoy The Merchant of Venice from 22 Jan to 18 Feb 2022 at The Pumphouse outdoor amphitheatre in Takapuna presented by Shoreside Theatre.

William Shakespeare, The Bard of Avon, a man who needs no introduction. His stories have stood the test of time. But they were never written to be read – they were written to be experienced! And where better to see it than a traditional outdoor amphitheatre. As the sun goes down you’ll be treated to sumptuous costumes, creative production design and passionate performances by a talented troop of local actors.

Audience members often bring cushions to sit on for greater comfort and blankets in case the evening cools down towards the end of the show. If the mozzie’s are biting this summer, it might be a good idea to have repellent on hand. In the event of persistent bad weather a performance may take place inside the main theatre.

About The Merchant of Venice:
The wheels of this clever and controversial comedy are set in motion when Bassanio, a poor nobleman in Venice, needs money to woo the beautiful heiress Portia. He asks his friend Antonio for a loan, but Antonio has invested his funds in ships overseas. The moneylender, Shylock, offers the cash on the condition that he will take a pound of Antonio’s flesh if the loan is not repaid within three months. Antonio goes bankrupt and Portia steps in, disguised as a young male lawyer, to save the day.

COVID Promise:
If the season is interrupted by a Covid-19 Lockdown and we can’t perform, we’ll refund 100% of the price you paid. All of our cast/crew and volunteers are vaccinated and we will be following all new rules about hosting large events.

Under current Covid-19 guidelines, to attend a performance at The PumpHouse, you will need to be able to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated.