Full casting is today announced for Rupert Goold’s The Merchant of Venice at the Almeida Theatre. Former Almeida Artistic Director Ian McDiarmid will play Shylock alongside Susannah Fielding and Scott Handy, who reprise their roles as Portia and Antonio. The company includes Vinta Morgan, Vincenzo Nicoli, Finlay Robertson, Raphael Sowole, Tim Steed, Jonathan Tafler, Anthony Welsh, Tom Weston-Jones and original RSC cast members Jamie Beamish, Rebecca Brewer, Caroline Martin and Emily Plumtree.

Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold relocates one of Shakespeare's most controversial plays to the bright lights of Las Vegas in a whirlwind of glitter, gambling and greenbacks.

The Merchant of Venice, originally produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Rick Fisher, music by Adam Cork, sound by Gregory Clarke, choreography by Scott Ambler and orchestrations by Alex Baranowski They are joined at the Almeida by Casting Director Ginny Schiller, Associate Director Lisa Blair, Associate Designer Holly Pigott, Costume Supervisor Joanna Relf, Associate Musical Director Jim Hustwit and Associate Choreographer Shelby Williams.

The Merchant Of Venice runs from 5 December 2014 - 14 February 2015

Box Office 020 7359 4404 or Online at www.almeida.co.uk