The Merchant of Venice

[Full-Cast Audio Theater Dramatization. Portia is played by Hadyn Gwynne and Shylock by Trevor Peacock. Julian Rhind-Tutt is Bassanio, and Bill Nighy is Antonio.]
In Shakespeare's most controversial play, the opposing values of justice and mercy must be resolved.
Antonio promises money to help his friend Bassanio woo Portia. He borrows the sum needed from the cruel Shylock, but there will be a dreadful penalty if the loan is not repaid. The golden world of Portias Belmont calls forth some of Shakespeare's most lyrical love poetry. But the dark shadow of Shylock is never far from the heart of this brilliant comedy as it moves toward its courtroom climax in which the opposing values of justice and mercy must be resolved.
Review
"A masterpiece of dramatic skill...The legal acuteness, the passionate declamations, the sound maxims of jurisprudence, the wit and irony interspersed in it, the fluctuations of hope and fear in the different persons, and the completeness and suddenness of the catastrophe, cannot be surpassed."
-- " William Hazlett, Shakespearean critic, on the courtroom scene in Act IV "
"Transforming any play into sound alone is a challenge, and one that is met by this Arkangel production...Like many of Shakespeare's comedies, its core a love story, but it is far more than that. The play is a controversial examination of justice, mercy, and prejudice. All the actors give strong performances...Trevor Peacock's portrayal of Shylock stands out among those of a solid cast. Peacock uses a sly voice for Shylock, saving his best for the comedy's climactic courtroom scene."
-- "AudioFile"