The Set

I think the set in the Merchant of Venice is a harder set to act on than usual plays because the scenery stays the same throughout the show. It doesn’t change but the actors are in a house, on a sidewalk, on a street and in a court. There also is a big huge staircase in the center going from cue light 12. During the show it is the stairs to Portia’s second story in her house, an entrance to a train station and even a balcony where Portia sees a plane go overhead. You have to really act like you are in each place or the play will get messed up.