What a magnificent piece of theatre! Edward Hall’s ever-inventive all-male company, Propeller, has created an utterly brilliant new production of Shakespeare’s hard-hitting and soul-searching comment on prejudice and justice, The Merchant of Venice.

A packed Lighthouse had the privilege of seeing the world premiere performance last night (December 3). This production, staged by Watermill Theatre, now continues its run at Poole until Saturday .

Originally performed more than 400 years ago, Shakepeare’s play, which revolves around bitter and vengeful Jewish money-lender, Shylock, demanding a literal pound of flesh from Christian debtor, Atonio, has been almost done to death.

Propellor breathes new life into the tried-and-tested plot, setting the story in a giant prison, a society that traps and controls its people within a world torn by racial tensions and greed.

On a stage dressed with prison bars the cast makes much of Shakespeare’s original text, extracting nuances which sway rhythmically from vicious to tender as the deadly power struggle unfolds.

In a glorious flurry of uncertain identities Portia and her guilt-ridden lover, Bassanio, finally manage to turn the tables on Shylock and force him to renounce both faith and fortune.