American-Jewish Actor Irwin Appel Speaks About Playing Shylock in Prague Shakespeare Company’s The Merchant of Venice at the Estates Theatre

Prague Shakespeare Company (PSC), the professional English-language theatre of the Czech Republic, now celebrating its 17th year and 10-year anniversary of their historic collaboration with Národní divadlo, is premiering a new English-language production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice at the Estates Theatre on 2 November 2024. You can get your ticket here.

The production, directed by PSC Artistic Director Guy Roberts, features Czech surtitle translation by Martin Hilský and stars several PSC audience favorites, including Karel Heřmánek ml. and his younger brother František, making his professional stage debut.

The well-regarded American-Jewish actor Irwin Appel plays the role of Shylock. Prague Morning had the chance to sit down with Irwin to discuss the production, the role of Shylock, and the significance of this controversial play.

PM: Why Shakespeare?

Irwin: As an actor, it is immensely satisfying to fully embody and embrace work that is both unapologetically epic and deeply personal. Prague Shakespeare Company has allowed me to play two of the greatest roles an actor can ever play in my opinion: Sir John Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 1, and now Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.

PM: As a Jewish actor, why do you want to play Shylock?

Irwin: Shylock haunts me—I love him. I don’t say that lightly. He is deeply flawed, at times barbaric, but to me, it all comes from a deep sense of loss, rage, and helplessness. I’ve based my characterization on the idea of someone who’s been bullied all his life and finally snaps. Plus, the language is so delicious to speak—it feels very truthful to me as I speak each line.

I’m a very secular Jew, proud of my family and culture. At the root of Judaism is humanism, creativity, and humor. I believe Shylock has an underappreciated sense of humor—he’s funny! When I speak lines like “Hath not a Jew eyes,” I connect with a rich, multi-dimensional, human character. Shylock is not a “stock villain,” but one of the most human characters Shakespeare ever wrote.

Irwin Appel

PM: Is The Merchant of Venice an anti-Semitic play, and should it be performed now?

Irwin: The Merchant of Venice is about bigotry as a whole, not just anti-Semitism, and it lays that bigotry bare. The racism in the language spewed by the “good” Christian society is palpable. I believe Shakespeare was criticizing society. It’s an excellent time to perform The Merchant of Venice, though I understand why others might disagree. I don’t think it’s up to me to decide whether art should be done or not. My job is to dive in and let the audience decide.

PM: Your real-life daughter, Phoebe Appel, plays Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, in this production. How is it working with your daughter?

Irwin: I can’t express the joy I feel working with Phoebe. She’s an extraordinary person, and I’ll cherish this experience forever. Knowing she’s my real daughter might bring the audience closer to Shylock’s emotional life. I don’t think Shylock ever intended to take Antonio’s flesh; it’s only after losing his daughter that he seeks vengeance.

PM: What kind of performance should we expect?

Irwin: The atmosphere will be electric, and the historical context mixed with the play’s uneasy bigotry will resonate with audiences. We perform just days before one of the most critical elections in U.S. history. This is the perfect time for The Merchant of Venice. Guy Roberts’ adaptation is outstanding, and the show will be powerful, timely, exciting, funny, tragic, and entertaining. We’re giving our hearts to create an unforgettable experience at one of the most beautiful theatres in the world. Don’t miss it!

PM: You have a highly regarded theatre background in the U.S., including graduating from Juilliard. What excites you about Prague Shakespeare Company?

Irwin: I’m honored to be an Associate Artist of PSC. Guy Roberts is one of the most ground-breaking and generous Artistic Directors I’ve ever known. Artists from around the world love working with PSC because of him. PSC has an international reach, even providing a home for Ukrainian theater artists after the Russian invasion. They’re expanding projects and tours across Europe, making PSC a hub for English-language Shakespeare.

PM: What makes Prague special for you, and do you have a favorite food?

Irwin: Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with an extraordinary history. It wasn’t bombed like other European cities. I love that after communism fell, Czechoslovakia’s first president was a playwright!

The Czechs chose a theater artist to lead them into a free future—America could learn from that! As for food, beer is food, right? You can’t beat Czech beer. I’ve also visited the old Jewish cemetery twice; it’s deeply moving. Now that I’m playing Shylock, I plan to visit again to connect with the history and emotion there.

Prague Shakespeare Company in association with Národní divadlo presents:

• The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
• Directed by Guy Roberts
• Performed in English
• Czech titles and translation by Martin Hilský
• Estates Theatre
• 2 November 2024

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