Madurai’s Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College is all set to stage Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’.

The institute is celebrating its 50th academic year with the production. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College in Madurai is preparing to stage its annual play after a gap of five years. King’s Theatre, the college drama group, is set to perform Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’. The event marks the return of theatrical productions to the college. “The themes of justice, mercy and prejudice in the play will resonate with audiences, making it relevant and impactful,” says Saroja V Kumar, assistant professor of English and one of the play’s two directors.

“College sports help in identifying and showcasing the talent of students. ‘The Merchant of Venice’ will provide us with an opportunity to harness the capabilities of our people,” says LM Joseph Paul Bezalel, assistant professor of English (SF) and director of the play. He added, “We wanted to present a vibrant drama that incorporated music, dance, comedy and action to enrich the experience for our audiences.”

According to college principal A Ramasubbiah, the institute is celebrating its 50th academic year with the production. The specially designed set will slide, twist and turn to create four different settings: Venice, a court scene, Shylock’s house and a garden. “The set weighs over 1700 kg, and we are using over 300 lights. Additionally, our team has composed our own songs and music,” says the director.

With extensive experience in drama production and working with various theater groups, both directors are aware of the role of the backstage crew. “Our students from both UG and PG English programs have come together to participate in various activities like welding, painting, shopping for accessories, prop-making and even marketing. The process is like a hands-on workshop,” says Joseph. The actors and volunteers also receive guidance from professionals and experts from across Tamil Nadu.

On January 11, at 5 pm, Mannar opened to the public at Thirumalai Naicker College. Call 9789789224, 6374395521 for details.