The Merchant of Venice, Starring Al Pacino, Eyes London Bow Next Year

It looks like the Broadway production of The Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino, is eyeing a London berth next year, according to The Daily Mail. The Daniel Sullivan-helmed Merchant first bowed at the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park in summer 2010, before transferring to Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre, where it is currently running.

The Merchant of Venice is a story of love and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge. In the play, Jewish moneylender Shylock makes a loan to Antonio, a Christian merchant. Their loan contract, steeped in prejudice and centered on the play's infamous “pound of flesh,” sweeps the two men and everyone in their worlds into chaos. Only the insightful Portia can imagine a way forward, but for her and those she loves, even "the quality of mercy" has its limits.

Pacino leads the Broadway cast as moneylender Shylock, with Lily Rabe taking on the role of Portia.  The cast also includes Jesse L. Martin, David Harbour, Christopher Fitzgerald, Byron Jennings, Gerry Bamman, Heather Lind, Matthew Rauch, Charles Kimbrough, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Richard Topol and Seth Numrich.

The Broadway production is scheduled to end its limited engagement on January 9, 2011.