The Canadian Jewish Congress has asked the Strafford, Ontario, Shakespeare Festival not to stage the Merchant of Venice, it was revealed here today.
In a letter to the festival authorities, the Congress said that there exists an honest difference of opinion on the controversial character of Shylock, the central figure in the Shakespearean drama. The letter added that though the Congress objects to the portrayal of the Shylock rule it does not advocate a boycott of the presentation or its suppression.
Dr. Tyrone Guthrie, director of the festival, has selected a Jewish actor to play the part of Shylock. He has also indicated that the role of Shylock will be portrayed sympathetically, without offending Jewish sensibilities.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
