Celebs descend on Watford for The Merchant of Venice 1936

The Merchant of Venice 1936, starring EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman, has been a hit with critics and audiences already, but a performance last night was especially notable for the number of celebrities turning up in Clarendon Road.

Originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the Covid pandemic, the show is set against a backdrop of the growth of the British Fascist party in London's East End and the community rejecting their hatred in the famous Battle of Cable Street.

• EastEnders Tracy-Ann Oberman in The Merchant of Venice 1936
• Two nearby works cause misery for Watford drivers
• Drug dealers, 19 and 18, busted in hotel room full of heroin and cocaine

Jew. Dog. Shylock… and what a Shylock!

Genius and visceral production of The Merchant of Venice set around 1936 London and Cable Street, with this goddess as the moneylender.

So good, you and the whole team should be so proud of yourselves @TracyAnnO 👏https://t.co/xtlTmBmXys pic.twitter.com/9MPeUJnCdh

— Rachel Riley 💙 (@RachelRileyRR) March 2, 2023

Amanda Holden and Lisa Faulker attend The Merchant of Venice 1936 press nighthttps://t.co/phzVIiYTFv#EntertainmentNews pic.twitter.com/CIrFXayA9T

— NowMyNews (@NowMyNews) March 3, 2023

Also among those spotted on the red carpet were Rachel Riley, David Morrissey, David Aaronovitch, Lisa Faulkner, Gary Kemp, and an array of EastEnders stars.

The @watfordpalace production of Merchant of Venice 1936 starring @TracyAnnO does something very unusual. It grasps absolutely the nettle that Shakespeare’s play - despite Jews being gaslit for years otherwise- is intensely antisemitic. Disturbing and powerful. Go see.

— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) March 2, 2023

Really enjoyed watching The Merchant of Venice at @watfordpalace. Starring @TracyAnnO as Shylock, it’s set in London in 1936, as fascism is sweeping across Europe.

On until 11 March. For more information and tickets, visit https://t.co/9Xl6bRQvUd pic.twitter.com/Byb0GtyluV

— Peter Taylor (@WatfordMayor) March 3, 2023

After the show, David Baddiel tweeted: “The Watford Palace Theatre production of Merchant of Venice 1936 starring Tracy-Ann Oberman does something very unusual.

Just back from @TracyAnnO's fascinating and enthralling production of The Merchant of Venice 1936 at @watfordpalace. It is the best attempt I have yet seen to deal with the anti-Semitism at the play's core. It will travel to the @RSC at Stratford and hopefully elsewhere.

— David Aaronovitch (@DAaronovitch) March 2, 2023

Get a Watford Observer digital subscription for just £1 | Watford Observer

"It grasps absolutely the nettle that Shakespeare’s play - despite Jews being gaslit for years otherwise - is intensely antisemitic. Disturbing and powerful. Go see.”

Racehel Riley tweeted: “Jew. Dog. Shylock… and what a Shylock!

“Genius and visceral production of The Merchant of Venice set around 1936 London and Cable Street.”

Amanda Holden and Robert Rinder arrive on the red carpet (Image: Newsquest)