Performer Name: Grist To The Mill

Show Name: Gratiano

Show Description

How easy it is to hate? This is the question on Gratiano’s mind. Now older, wiser, bitterer he finds himself under suspicion of Bassanio’s murder and is forced to revisit his Fascist past. As one of Mussolini’s Black Shirts he was never a hero – just a minor character, just the plucky comic relief – but he never thought he played the villain. A story of hate, love and redemption set amongst the turmoil of post war Italy. From the team behind ‘The Unknown Soldier’. Audience at York Shakespeare Festival 2017: "A wonderful commentary on "The Merchant of Venice" and should be seen by everyone interested in Shakespeare - particularly students of the original play seeking greater insights." ★★★★★ British Theatre Guide "It's a masterful performance, a smart spectacle and a further testament to Ericson's growing magnificence as a modern playwright and performer.'" ★★★★1/2 Glam Adelaide "Ericson’s elegant fable reaches out beyond today’s xenophobes and ultra-nationalists and speaks with integrity while we laugh our socks off." ★★★★★ Edinburgh Guide "A gritty, thoroughly grounded piece of writing that is handled magnificently by Ericson’s performance... a deep exploration of the mentality of hatred, fear and xenophobia in context of the second world war, bringing the politics of the play firmly into the present." The performance is 55min and can be followed by a 20min post-show talk. An interview can be put in between the two is required, but not in the performance.

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We can tour with our own lighting or we are flexible to use venues' facilities.
Performance space 3m x 2m, height 2.5m. Require minimum of four 13amp socket points for our lights and sound. We are also flexible to use venues' facilities. Get in: 3hrs, Get out: 45min The performance is 55mins and is followed by a 20min post-show talk. An interval can be put in between the two if required, but not in the performance.
We can supply A4 or A3 Posters and A5 flyers, and images and copy for online promotion.
Grist to the Mill was founded in 2012 with a specific aim to bring new writing to the world’s stages. Resident writer Ross Ericson has had noted success with his critically acclaimed adaptation of Henry Fielding's Tom Jones and his play Casualties, which was nominated for Best New Play at the OffWestend Awards and published by Methuen. The company also works closely with Red Dragonfly Productions, a British East Asian Theatre company, and has been bringing new stories and well-known classics all around the UK and regularly to Fringe Festivals. ‘The quality of the adaptation and the wit of the cast ensure that … it makes for a thoroughly entertaining evening… Exactly as promised, a delicious and varied meal is enjoyed by all’ The Public Reviews on Tom Jones