'The Merchant Of Venice'

venue

Bemrose School

Dates

10th - 12th April 1947

Directors

A. G. Revill & E. D. Marsden

Three Act "Merchant" Success
Review from Derby Evening Telegraph

Our fourth production of 'The Merchant Of Venice' marked a return for the British Empire Shakespeare Society (Derby Branch), as we were then known. Little activity took place within the society during World War II, though annual meetings took place and some members who weren't involved in the conflict used their talents to entertain troops, hospital patients, prisoners of war and other groups on the home front.

When peace was declared the society found itself with a depleted membership and no venue for either rehearsal or performance. It would be two years before the society was suitably prepared to stage this 'comeback' production, our first since 1939. It proved a successful return, making a handsome profit of £47!

Crew

Producers - Mr. A. G. Revill & Mr. E. D. Marsden
Stage Manager - Mr. L. Roome
Settings & Lighting - Mr. Dennis Eddowes
Make-up - Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Eddowes

Musicians

Violins - Miss Frances M. Orme, L.R.A.M. & Mr. William Daltry, L.R.A.M.
Viola - Mrs. J. C. Crum, L.R.A.M.
Cello -  - Mrs. J. C. Crum, L.R.A.M.

Cast

Duke Of Venice - Mr. A. G. Revill
Prince Of Morocco - Mr. J. H. Banks
Antonio - Mr. A. D. Smedley
Bassiano - Mr. F. H. Garratt
Salanio - Mr. E. Eisner
Salarino - Mr. J. R. Sanders
Gratiano - Mr. A. W. Pottier
Salerio - Mr. M. J. Gollin
Lorenzo - Mr. R. Garrard
Shylock - Mr. W. Malcolm
Tubal - Mr. G. W. Ford
Launcelot Gobbo - Mr. A. J. L. Avery
Old Gobbo - Mr. E. D. Marsden
Leonardo - Mr. B. M. Smith
Clerk Of The Court - Mr. G. S. Aspdin
Portia - Miss Patricia Ford
Nerissa - Mrs. J. E. Howard Smith
Jessica - Miss Judy Revill
Soldiers & Attendants - Messrs. G. T. Copestake, A. Haldenby, J. A. B. Nichols & A. C. Stables
Ladies In Waiting & Dancers - Mrs. J. M. Cutts, Mrs. R. Garrard, Miss C. Grime, Miss E. P. Laurie & Miss J. V. Wilkins