After twenty-five years I have finally retired my solo show Shylock. It has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling projects of my career, and has taken me around the world, receiving audience and press acclaim in over fifty countries.
The device of making Tubal, Shylock’s only friend and the only other Jewish man in the whole of Shakespeare, the conduit of my narrative enabled me to tell the story of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, and the long and shameful history of anti-semitism throughout the world. I will always be grateful to the people who enabled the production, particularly my friend and mentor Frank Barrie who encouraged me to develop the play and directed it. Sadly he died this year after a long and very distinguished career. He was a true man of the theatre and an inspiration to many.
Worldwide Press Acclaim for Shylock
Armstrong is nothing short of incredible… it is an exceptional piece of theatre. Everyone should see it.
The Independent on Sunday – London
It’s all fascinating, a nimble analysis of the thorny, much-abused character and the great, troublesome play.
The Washington Post
It delights enlightens and dazzles, With a leer, a wink, a shrug, he expresses more than words can say. In a word, brilliant.
Jewish Bulletin of North California
Shakespeare fans will kneel in homage and raise their arms to shout ‘Hallelujah’.
The Dominion, Wellington NZ
This performance that deserves to be sold out. It is theatre for thinking men and women, it is theatre of the imagination, of liberating emotions and, also, of bold thinking.
Kurier, Vienna
Gareth Armstrong is magnetic throughout… You need not be Jewish nor and Eng Lit expert to appreciate this: you need only be human.
The List, Edinburgh (5 Stars)
This is as good as theatre gets.. It was undiluted joy and a privilege to watch.
