Emily Plumtree

Gary Naylor sees an extraordinary production of Shakespeare's most controversial play, one full of ambiguity and vicious cruelty, both physical and mental.

The Almeida Theatre has announced its new Winter-Spring 2014-15 season, featuring Rupert Goold's celebrated RSC production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Ian McDiarmid as Shylock and Susannah Fielding reprising her role as Portia; Robert Icke directing Tobias Menzies in an intimate staging of Wallace Shawn's THE FEVER AT THE MAY FAIR HOTEL; the World Premiere of Mike Bartlett's play GAME, directed by Sacha Wares and designed by Miriam Buether in a radical reconfiguration of the theater; and Simon Stephens reimagining Bizet's CARMEN in the UK premiere of CARMEN DISRUPTION, helmed by Michael Longhurst.

Check out these pictures from the rehearsals for The Merchant of Venice, directed by Rupert Goold and playing at the Almeida!

Full casting is today announced for Rupert Goold's The Merchant of Venice at the Almeida Theatre. Former Almeida Artistic Director Ian McDiarmid will play Shylock alongside Susannah Fielding and Scott Handy, who reprise their roles as Portia and Antonio. The company includes Vinta Morgan, Vincenzo Nicoli, Finlay Robertson, Raphael Sowole, Tim Steed, Jonathan Tafler, Anthony Welsh, Tom Weston-Jones and original RSC cast members Jamie Beamish, Rebecca Brewer, Caroline Martin and Emily Plumtree.

Full casting is today announced for Rupert Goold's The Merchant of Venice at the Almeida Theatre. Former Almeida Artistic Director Ian McDiarmid will play Shylock alongside Susannah Fielding and Scott Handy, who reprise their roles as Portia and Antonio. The company includes Vinta Morgan, Vincenzo Nicoli, Finlay Robertson, Raphael Sowole, Tim Steed, Jonathan Tafler, Anthony Welsh, Tom Weston-Jones and original RSC cast members Jamie Beamish, Rebecca Brewer, Caroline Martin and Emily Plumtree.

The Almeida Theatre has announced its new Winter-Spring 2014-15 season, featuring Rupert Goold's celebrated RSC production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Ian McDiarmid as Shylock and Susannah Fielding reprising her role as Portia; Robert Icke directing Tobias Menzies in an intimate staging of Wallace Shawn's THE FEVER AT THE MAY FAIR HOTEL; the World Premiere of Mike Bartlett's play GAME, directed by Sacha Wares and designed by Miriam Buether in a radical reconfiguration of the theater; and Simon Stephens reimagining Bizet's CARMEN in the UK premiere of CARMEN DISRUPTION, helmed by Michael Longhurst.

Gary Naylor sees a kitchen sink drama for our times that captures the sense of claustrophobia of Britain's (especially London's) debt culture and the swirling social ills that flow in and around inner city's sink estates.

Michael Attenborough directs Eduardo de Filippo's FILUMENA in a new English version by Tanya Ronder running at the Almeida from March 15 - May 12, 2012, with press night on March 22 at 7pm. Designs are by Robert Jones, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by John Leonard. Filumena is sponsored by Pinsent Masons.

Michael Attenborough will direct Eduardo de Filippo's Filumena in a new English version by Tanya Ronder running at the Almeida from 15 March - 12 May 2012, with press night on 22 March at 7pm. Designs are by Robert Jones, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by John Leonard. Filumena is sponsored by Pinsent Masons.

Michael Attenborough directs Eduardo De Filippo's Filumena in a new English version by Tanya Ronder running at the Almeida from 15 March - 12 May 2012, with press night on 22 March at 7pm. Designs are by Robert Jones, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by John Leonard. Filumena is sponsored by Pinsent Masons.

Michael Attenborough will direct Eduardo de Filippo's Filumena in a new English version by Tanya Ronder running at the Almeida from 15 March - 12 May 2012, with press night on 22 March at 7pm. Designs are by Robert Jones, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by John Leonard. Filumena is sponsored by Pinsent Masons.

Stage and screen star Patrick Stewart stars in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Rupert Goold. Set in Las Vegas, the production runs through October 4.