The Conversos of Venice by Ian Thal

Venice, 1601: Twelve years after the forced conversion portrayed in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", an elderly Shylock lives as a strange prisoner: free to conduct his business throughout the city, but ever in fear of torture or death should authorities suspect that he has reverted to Judaism. Meanwhile, his estranged daughter, Gessica, now a mother, is slowly realizing that even a...
Venice, 1601: Twelve years after the forced conversion portrayed in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", an elderly Shylock lives as a strange prisoner: free to conduct his business throughout the city, but ever in fear of torture or death should authorities suspect that he has reverted to Judaism. Meanwhile, his estranged daughter, Gessica, now a mother, is slowly realizing that even a willing convert to Catholicism is not free from suspicion -- suspicions that may affect even her daughter's prospects. The merchant prince, Antonio, over-extended with his Christian creditors and unable to borrow from Jewish lenders, hatches a plan with his legal advisor, Portia, and Gessica's husband, Lorenzo, to seize the remains of Shylock's fortune in order to finance a new trade venture.

Having learned long ago that Antonio is not a man to be trusted and that Venice is not a city predisposed to give him justice, Shylock has been planning to escape so that he might live his last years in peace. Meanwhile, Gessica is drawn into the commercial conflict between her husband's friends and her father, and a bombastic Spanish ship captain in Antonio's employ seems willing to cut a deal with both sides.
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The Conversos of Venice

Recommended by

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    30 Sep. 2023
    “ I read this play with complete Awe at the dedication Ian has put to his research behind the story he's created! Its a play gorgeously rich and story and sets the imagination on fire with the way certain scenes are presented and the wonderful dialogue that is both witty and strong in equal measure. There are somethat would say Shakespeare has been overdone but Ian has created a wonderfully unique take on a tale that is well known across schools and colleges. Its a piece that offers a varied cast and a fabulous opportunity for directors and producers alike! ”
  • Christopher Soucy:
    19 Oct. 2022
    “ What a well crafted, thoughtful exploration on the events that follow the end of The Merchant of Venice. One of Shakespeare’s most popular works leaves many questions unanswered, Ian Thal proposes exciting and heartfelt takes on the destinies of Shakespeare’s esteemed characters. I would love to see this performed in tandem with Merchant of Venice. ”
  • Jarred Corona:
    27 May. 2022
    “ I had to do some quick Googling at the start - I know little about Shakespeare's Merchant, and I'm not about to read it. It shed light on some things. Yet, as far as I can see, Ian Thal's story and characterization is so rich I hadn't needed to. Honestly, given that and the rise in antisemitism over the past decade, (as well as my own distaste for Shakes), I'd much prefer theatres produce Thal. It's well written, has no high barrier of entry, and clearly showcases how some "good Christians," not just Nazis, have/continue to harm Jewish people. ”
View all 11 recommendations

Character Information

Notes on doubling:

The Capitano appears both masked and unmasked depending on the scene. They may be played by the same actor. If they are played by two different actors then the actors need not be of the same gender.

Keturah and Rotalinda may be doubled.

  • Shylock
    50s-70s+,
    Sephardi, Sephardic, Jewish, Converso
    ,
    Male
    A dozen years after the events portrayed in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, he lives outwardly as a Christian. It is widely suspected that this is ruse and that he remains a crypto-Jew but the politics of the Venice prevent this matter from being pursed further.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Rotalinda
    Any Age,
    Venetian, Zannia
    ,
    Female
    Servant in Antonio's palazzo. A brilliant chef. Married to a Neapolitan chicken thief. Sometimes sleeps with Launcelot.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Portia
    late 20s to 30s.,
    Venetian, Mediterranean
    ,
    Female
    Inheritor of an ancient aristocratic line. Claims that her lineage traces back to the Roman Republic. Perhaps the Venetian Republic's most brilliant mind, excelling in alchemy, theology, political strategy, and polemical writings. Very much aware that due to her gender, her brilliance is unlikely to be remembered. Occasionally wears men's clothing. Probably should be the Doge of Venice.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Natalia
    11 or 12,
    Jewish, Converso, Sephardic, Sephardi, Venetian, Mediterranean
    ,
    Female
    Daughter of Gessica and Lorenzo. Like many children, she is sometimes naïve, sometimes insightful. Still plays with dolls. Sings. Still has an active imagination. A small adult actor who can plausibly play a child is acceptable.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Lorenzo
    30s,
    Venetian, Mediterranean
    ,
    Male
    Son of minor nobility in the Venetian Republic. Prone to making rash decisions on his own though he has learned to take council from those wiser than him. Husband of the convert, Gessica. Father of Natalia.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Launcelot Gobbo
    Any Age,
    Zanni
    ,
    Male
    A Bergamàsch Zanni whose name is a vulgar joke. Smarter than his social superiors expect given his low station. Mostly uses his intelligence for his own amusement. Ravenous and promiscuous.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Keturah
    Any Age,
    Jewish, Sephardic, Converso
    ,
    Female
    One of the few woman in Venice who would seek employment in Shylock's house after the events of twelve years prior. Perhaps the only woman Shylock would hire.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Il Capitano
    Any Age,
    Spaniard
    ,
    Male
    Either a Spanish captain in the employment of Antonio, or a masked character from the commedia dell'arte. The narrator of the play, he mistakenly thinks that he is also the protagonist.

    Appears on stage both masked and unmasked. These appearances may be played by different actors. If two actors are used, it is recommended they be of different genders.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Gessica / Yiskah
    Late 20s to 30s.,
    Jewish, Sephardic, Sephardi, Converso
    ,
    Female
    The Jessica of Shakespeare's play. A dozen years ago she broke her father's heart by abandoning Judaism and and converting to Catholicism. Now a mother and politically savvy enough to realize that she and her daughter's safety may not be politically expedient to others. Estranged daughter of Shylock. Mother of Natalia. Wife of Lorenzo. Still remembers Ladino-language songs from when she lived in the Ghetto.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Antonio
    50s - 60s,
    Venetian, Mediterranean
    ,
    Male, Gay
    The "Merchant of Venice". Powerful nobleman. Takes great risks in commerce. Creative use of leverage in dealing with his debts and avoiding scandal. Unmarried. Very much aware that he is in the last days of his middle-age, and is so concerned for his eternal soul. By twenty-first century standards, a gay man; Antonio is, however, a man of the sixteenth century.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Chaos Theater Collective
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Small Theatre Alliance of Boston
    ,
    2011

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Campfire Theatre Festival
,
Campfire Theatre Festival
,
2020
Semi-Finalist
,
New Play Reading Series
,
 Wordsmyth Theater Company
,
2015