On October 1, 2023, at the Mission Valley Branch Library, the Society staged its fifth mock trial Shylock versus Portia, based on the text of The Merchant of Venice. And many thanks to our diligent paparazzi Dennis Williams.
L to R: Samuel W. Bettwy (Defendant’s attorney), Janaki Stoeckley (Portia), Bryan H. Wildenthal (Judge), Kevin Manley (Antonio), Gordon L. Gidlund (Understudy and Playwright), Josh Freeman (Shylock), Susan Benninghoff (Plaintiff’s attorney), and Bill Glaser (Clerk).
“No, Counsel, that won’t work. The Court is not comfortable with multiple-level hearsay. Next time, pay for your witness to come in.”
“Antonio knew exactly what he was in for. He assumed the known risk as the adrenaline junkie he is.”
“In no way, can Shylock be rewarded for his despicable actions. It is settled law that a party to an illegal contract cannot ask a court of law for assistance.”
“I crave the law!”
“Shylock puts on an outward strangeness at times, consumed by quips and quiddities. I conceived it to be all for show, to be matters of his own invention.”
“I am but an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpracticed. My wit untrain’d in any kind of art.”
“And he didn’t realize he had his doublet on backwards.”
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