"Game of Thrones" actor Jonathan Pryce starred in "The Merchant of Venice," Shakespeare's Globe production presented by Lincoln Center Festival on July 24, Sunday. In HBO's massive series, Pryce played the soft-spoken and smirking High Sparrow whom drama followers hated. He was killed in "Game of Thrones" season 6 finale, together with many others as plotted by Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey).
In "The Merchant of Venice," the English actor plays Shylock, the Jewish moneylender who makes merchant Antonio's (Dominic Mafham) life, miserable. Shylock lent Antonio money in exchange for his "pound of flesh." The character is one of those that actors dream of giving a try.
The extent of his assimilation to the Venetian culture plus his relationship with daughter Jessica (Phoebe Pryce) are two factors directors and actors want to explore in interpretating the character. Shylock was abandoned by his daughter for a lover, causing him anger, sorrow and a feeling of being betrayed that fuel his lust for the death of Antonio.
Pryce, who also played Governor Swann in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and The Engineer in "Miss Saigon" gave a towering performance at the Lincoln Center Festival. He turned Shakespeare's most hateful character into someone who deserves compassion. He was pitiful when his daughter left to elope with his lover, and expressed devastation and anguish when Antonio demanded that he renounce his Jewish religion for Christianity.
Playing Shylock is tricky and Pryce used his powerful vocals to deliver his lines. Speaking in a pleasing and menacing delivery that turned into a howling dismay after his daughter left, Pryce's performance was generally passive but cerebral. His feelings were mostly felt in his grand voice, according to Time Out.
The Welsh actor made a strong case with Shylock's infamous demand for Antonio's flesh. Director Jonathan Munby turned Shylock's Christian enemies into evils, a tricky adjustment of the most condemned Jewish character. With the superb acting and stunning stagecraft, the audience could think the play's story was originally written as such, according to Variety.
Check Jonathan Pryce in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" clip below.