Shakespeare at Curium

Shakespeare at Curium 2010-Merchant of Venice

June 18-20, 2010: Limassol, Cyprus

There is certain predictability about life in Cyprus which, rather than making it staid, gives a nice shape and format to the calendar year. Soon as Mercury starts to soar and beaches start to crowd, you know it is time for ‘Shakespeare at Curium’ and Shakespeare lovers all over Cyprus start looking for the notices to herald this summer’s production.

In its 49th year ‘Merchant of Venice” as the chosen play mesmerized the audience at Curium amphitheatre. The Popularity of this annual production can be gauged from the fact that the organizers “Performing Arts for Cyprus Charities” have over these years raised more than one million Euros for Cyprus charities.

“Shakespeare at Curium” is a unique experience as the evening unfolds against the changing backdrop of the turquoise blue sea which gradually wears the grayness of the twilight and then the moonlight bathed night. All this, while consummate actors bring alive the intricacies, the humor, the tragedy, the wit and the multi dimensional characters and plots of the master craftsman, enthralling  professed Shakespeare lovers and converting many more to the ranks every year.

Part of the reason why this annual production never disappoints is because even though the directors and the cast keep changing, the quality is consistent and the spirit stays the same.

First a word about this year’s  Director, Susan Ioannides. As with her previous productions, her presence is very palpable in this one as well. She is brilliant, hard working and an insatiable perfectionist. I have seen her working. She is so unforgiving and untiring that it is impossible for her production to be anything less than perfect. ‘Merchant of Venice” is just that. Its denouement is in thrilling courtroom scene but the cases are argued from the beginning of the play. So despite the anti Semitic nature of the original script, it is a big challenge for the director and the actors to build up sympathy and support for the other side as well. Very ably brought about by Susan and the extremely accomplished and my most favourite actor of the play Chris Neale playing Shylock. He was every bit the sleazy scrooge but you could also feel for him for all the hurt and humiliation he has been subjected too.

Chris stood out with his stellar performance but the entire cast was magnificent. Besides being good actors, each one looked the part. The Duke judging the dispute in Act IV might have just stepped out from the pages of the original play from four centuries ago. Peter Moore as the lecherous Prince of Morocco was so believable and so hilariously funny. With his exaggeratedly bad leg, he limped straight into the hearts of even the little ones in the audience.

The main parts were magnificent too. Chris Mortimer was suitably reckless, overconfident do-gooder as Antonio and Anthony Pike as Bassonio, the lovelorn friend, was very impressive. Carol Bailey as Portia was so good as the lawyer that lost in the play, you almost want to go and kiss her for saving the day. Helen Arnous as Portia’s maid Nerissa showed how comfortable and natural she is on stage but you did get a distinct feeling that she is under utilised playing the second fiddle. It was amply proved by the fact that she shone much more in the last act where she had her own identity and her own husband to play games with. And one last word about the cutest page boy in the world. Karim Arnous came on stage for only a few seconds a few times to play the horn but he was one of the most memorable members of the cast.

So one more production to be proud of , a few thousand more Euros for the Cyprus charities, some more good memories for the talented cast, some more joy for the Shakespeare lovers and we are all set for another memorable production next year.