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.
Reporting the stories that define our era. When history unfolds in real-time, the Jewish world turns to JTA. Your support ensures we can document the complexities of war and the resilience of Jewish communities with integrity.
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.
