theatre dybbuk and the Museum of Jewish Montreal (MJM) proudly present the inaugural Canadian performance of The Merchant of Venice (Annotated), or In Sooth I Know Not Why I Am So Sad.

Written and directed by Aaron Henne and developed with the ensemble of theatre dybbuk, this performance considers William Shakespeare's classic work, The Merchant of Venice, through its relationship to antisemitism and other prejudices in our world today. What perceived truths does a play reveal about the society in which it was created, and what ideas within that society does it reinforce?

Shakespeare likely wrote The Merchant of Venice between 1596 and 1598, only a few years after plague had temporarily closed London's theatres. This was a period of great uncertainty in English society, with ongoing conflicts taking their toll, concerns about the government's stability under an aging leader, and significant economic stresses. The anxieties associated with these societal pressures can perhaps be seen in Merchant in its portrayal of Shylock, the Jewish moneylender. Bringing together elements of Merchant with Elizabethan history and news from the 21st century, The Merchant of Venice (Annotated), or In Sooth I Know Not Why I Am So Sad takes a kaleidoscopic view of the ways in which members of a society displace their fears on the "other" during times of upheaval.

Introducing the performance and providing additional historical context the will be Paul Yanchin, Professor of Shakespeare Studies (McGill University).

Doors at 6:30pm. Performance at 7:00pm.

The run time is approximately 90 minutes, followed by a discussion with the audience. This performance will take the form of a seated live reading of the script. Refreshments will be available at our bar, payable by card only.

Tickets are $18 for general admission, or $12 for students. Bundled tickets for theatre dybbuk's other seated performance at the Museum of Jewish Montreal, Dracula (Annotated) are also available at the reduced rates of $30 for general admission, or $20 for students. If ticket cost is a barrier to entry, please contact info@imjm.ca.

Accessibility: Please note that our building is currently not accessible to visitors with limited mobility. This performance will take place on the ground level.

About theatre dybbuk

Founded in 2011 and based in Los Angeles, theatre dybbuk creates provocative performances and innovative educational encounters that explore Jewish thought to illuminate universal human experience. theatre dybbuk envisions a world where people challenge themselves to revel in the complexity of our shared humanity.

From November 14-18, 2024, the Museum of Jewish Montreal is welcoming theatre dybbuk to its space for a presentation of live theatrical performances and other public programs. Click here to learn more about the residency.

This program is made possible with thanks to the support of the Covenant Foundation.