Theatre lovers in Bengaluru are in for a rare treat as celebrated British actor Gareth Armstrong brings two performances to Ranga Shankar this week.
On November 12, Gareth will perform Shylock, his critically acclaimed one-man play directed by Frank Barrie – which was performed at the same theatre space many years ago, that delves into the world of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Told from the unique perspective of the character, Tubal, Shylock’s only friend, Shylock offers an innovative and humanising view of one of Shakespeare’s most controversial characters, exploring themes of prejudice, friendship, and resilience.
Speaking to The Hindu, Gareth said he assumes the role of Tubal who is the only other Jewish male character in all of Shakespeare. “He is also Shylock’s only friend and ally, so I perceive the play through his eyes. It gives the audience the opportunity to examine not only Shylock’s character and the play, but also the history of antisemitism over the millennia.”
As both the writer and sole performer, Gareth says that he faces unique challenges and freedoms. “A solo show is one of the most challenging and rewarding exercises for an actor. Fortunately, my co-writer is William Shakespeare so much of my play is his text. Writing your own work gives you an autonomy that is rare as a theatre practitioner but of course it also brings you great responsibility for the end product,” he adds.
On November 13, Gareth will perform Young and Easy: Tales and Verse by Dyl
