Media Advisory: UCI to Present Mock Trial of Shylock from "The Merchant of Venice"

10-15-2019

EVENT: In the wake of last year’s successful mock trial of Hamlet, the UCI School of Law and UCI Shakespeare Center will host a mock trial of Shylock from “The Merchant of Venice.” In Shakespeare’s controversial play, the Jewish moneylender takes the Christian merchant Antonio to court but is ruled against. In this staged appeal, L. Song Richardson, dean of UCI’s School of Law, will represent Shylock, and Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley’s School of Law, will represent the State.

WHEN/WHERE: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (bldg. 1, grid D5 on campus map)

INFORMATION: The event is free and open to the public. Tickets, however, are required and are available on the event registration page. Parking is available in the Student Center Parking Structure (grid D5 on campus map) for $13. Media planning to attend should contact Pat Harriman at 949-824-9055 or pharrima@uci.edu. Parking is complimentary for media who RSVP in advance.

HIGHLIGHTS: U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford will bring order to the courtroom for this literary and legal adventure. Professional actors from the New Swan Shakespeare Festival’s production of “The Merchant of Venice” will bring the drama to life. The audience will serve as the jury.

BACKGROUND:  The UCI Shakespeare Center, a collaboration between the School of Humanities and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, supports Shakespeare scholarship and brings Bard-related events to campus. Watch the video of the 2018 mock trial of Hamlet >

Media Contacts:
Mojgan Sherkat
949-824-7937
msherkat@uci.edu