207. The Cup | Playing Shylock (Canadian Stage)

Welcome back to the 207th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 207th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Playing Shylock, written by Mark Leiren-Young, directed by Martin Kinch, starring Saul Rubinek (in the titular action), and presented by Canadian Stage in association with Starvox Entertainment. Join Ryan Borochovitz and special guest Max Ackerman, as they don their finest sweaters to revisit their complicated thoughts about The Merchant of Venice, examine the theatricality of lecturing, and (perhaps surprisingly) asses the Lorax’s policy proposals for comprehensive environmental reform. Playing Shylock is running at the Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley St, Toronto, ON), now extended until December 1st, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/playing-shylock This review contains many SPOILERS for Playing Shylock. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the 13:22 mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Catch up on Ryan and Max’s previous jeremiad on playing (small “p”) Shylock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR_0JaXUWg&t=2410s Check out the upcoming production of Timon of Athens (directed by Max), running at the Theatre Centre from November 12th-17th: https://theatrecentre.org/event/timon-of-athens/ Follow our panelists: Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!] Max Ackerman – Instagram: @mackerman12 // @dandeliontheatreto // https://www.dandeliontheatreto.com/ Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected] CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Introduction: Operation Shylock, Reloaded 3:33 – Pre-Spoiler 13:22 – SPOILERS from here on out 13:34 – Uncle Saul’s Lecture 23:12 – It’s the Jewish Play 41:19 – In Conversation with Primary Texts 53:25 – Is He Jewish Enough? 1:08:43 – Unless Someone Like You Cares a Whole Awful Lot … 1:25:28 – Verdict: The Quality of Mercy 1:29:31 – Sign Off (& An Invitation)