These two images show the setting decided on by two different directors and stage designers for their productions of The Merchant of Venice.
B
A B
This director presented the stage as a Las Vegas casino with everyone chasing money.
This director presented the stage with an overarching bridge reminiscent of the Rialto bridge in Venice and an exotic-looking black canopy.
Choose one of them as a stage backdrop for the Portia and Nerissa dialogue.
a) What do you like about the backdrop you chose? b) Choose a piece of music that you would have playing as the audience sees this backdrop for the first time.
c) What kind of atmosphere do you think your chosen backdrop and music would create for the audience?
d) Write a short paragraph telling the lighting designer how to light up the stage. Choose two adjectives to describe each of the two backdrops.
