Playing Shylock in Toronto (til Dec. 1) Talking Shylock in Victoria (Nov. 10)
“Bracing, transformative theatre.” - The Globe and Mail
If you’re in Victoria this Sunday (Nov. 10) I’m going to be talking about Shylock (the character), Shylock (my play), playing Shylock (in Merchant of Venice), Playing Shylock (my play) and the influence of the Belfry theatre’s cancellation of The Runner on Playing Shylock and Canadian theatre. The talk is Sunday, 2 pm at Congregation Emanu-El Sanctuary. No cost for entry - this is part of the synagogue’s educational outreach program. For more information click here: https://congregationemanuelnews.wordpress.com/2024/10/31/mark-leiren-young-on-shylock/
Opening night at CanStage: Saul Rubinek
and Michael Petrasek (my agent and champion)
And I guess the picture up top is a bit of a spoiler for the other big news.
I woke up today to a text from iconic actor Saul Rubinek: “call me.”
I did and he let me know that the rest of the run of Playing Shylock is very close to sold out and that the show is now holding over til Dec. 1. If you’re a playwright “held over” - pretty much the most magical words in the english language.
To buy tickets visit the CanStage site here: https://www.canadianstage.com/show/playing-shylock
In my last post I shared all the press that had come out on Playing Shylock. Since then… more interviews and so many more reviews. Here’s a teaser from Saul’s interview on TVO’s The Agenda.
Click here for the full interview on The Agenda.
And the reviews…
Playing Shylock is a ghost story that is impossible to ignore
“Bracing, transformative theatre.”
The Globe and Mail, Aisling Murphy
This play starring Canadian acting legend Saul Rubinek is one of the most provocative and urgent shows of the year
Mark Leiren-Young’s “Playing Shylock” feels strikingly timely amid a series of controversial cancellations across the country.
Playing Shylock - Stage Door, Christopher Hoile
Review: “Playing Shylock” . . . and pushing us to be better audiences - Sesaya Arts Magazine - Scott Sneddon
Playing Shylock asks: ‘Am I Jewish enough yet?’- Intermission Magazine - Ilana Lucas
Review: PLAYING SHYLOCK Theatre Reviews for the Serious Theatre-Goer The Slotkin Letter - Lynn Slotkin
And the reviews I shared before:
“Playing Shylock, Mark Leiren-Young’s provocative solo play at Canadian Stage, offering a searing critique of cancel culture in the arts, could not have arrived at a more urgent moment — as the Canadian cultural landscape is at a crossroads.”
'Playing Shylock' by Mark Leiren-Young - Our Theatre Voice by Joe Szekeres
“A masterclass in theatre practice. The audience is not watching a performance. The audience watches a character emerge and grow before our eyes.”
Canadian Stage’s “Playing Shylock” - A View From the Box - Janine Marley
“There are two rules to theatre: “The show must go on” and “Shit happens.” Playing Shylock, written by Mark Leiren-Young and directed by Martin Kinch, exemplifies these rules with its own unique twists and turns.”
➤ PLAYING SHYLOCK ⏤ Canadian Stage - Istvan Reviews - Istvan Dugalin
“Rubinek had me in his spell from the moment he walked on.”
אויב איר שטעכן אונדז, טאָן מיר ניט בלוטיקן - Opera Ramblings - John Gilks
“Rubinek is funny, acute, awkward and very moving.”
Saul Rubinek: Is Portraying Shylock Problematic? | The Agenda - TVO Today - Steve Paikin
“A one-man tour-de-force.”
Here’s Saul on CBC’s Q
And a synopsis of Saul’s talk on Q - Saul Rubinek: How Playing Shylock critiques cancel culture in the arts
And here’s the latest from my podcast… about the environment… not Shakespeare…
