Jilly plays Shylock in our production of The Merchant of Venice, which runs at The Roman Theatre Open Air Festival from Wednesday 31st July to Sunday 11th August, inclusive.
We caught up with her to ask about her experience of featuring in the show at the Roman Theatre.
How long have you been an actor, Jilly?
40 years! [I] got my first laugh at four in the Primary School panto and that did it! Studied Drama at Uni, worked for the BBC in documentary production for four years, chucked that in and went to drama school for a year, and went from there!
What do you most enjoy about performing at the Roman Theatre?
[When] Playing Scrooge [in Ovo’s production of A Christmas Carol], I relished the frosty, snowy clear nights with a full moon and skies full of stars. And the knowledge that Romans sat under the same moon, in the same place, watching theatre.
What made you want to be in our production of The Merchant of Venice?
I love the play play and especially the part. I have a fascination with the Jewish experience, which this play has fed. ‘To bait fish withal’ was also one of the first speeches I ever delivered – age 11 – for a school drama exam…
Why do you think the audience will enjoy the show?
It’s such an intelligent, challenging play – and the rest of the brilliant cast are making it very funny too!
Finally, sum up The Merchant of Venice in three words for us!
‘Bursting with life!‘
Click the button below to see Jilly in action in The Merchant of Venice.