IT is surprising to learn that in Easingwold Players’ 26-year history, they have never taken on the challenge of producing a Shakespeare play.

As the resident amateur theatre company at the Galtres Centre, the Players put on two plays a year, ranging from full-scale musicals to farce and classic drama, but the Bard has remained barren territory until now.

Retired English teacher Richard Wood has been planning to direct The Merchant Of Venice for the Players for the past five years. Originally programmed to take place four years ago, the play was in its early planning stages when Richard had to undergo major heart surgery, as Shakespeare's "problem play" hit a problem of a different kind.

Such was his passion for making Easingwold Players' first Shakespeare play happen, however, that he decided the show must go on, even if that meant waiting several years until opening night.

A stellar cast of 14 Easingwold actors is now well into rehearsals for the production run from April 22 to 25. Under Richard's direction, his company will bring to life some of Shakespeare’s most vibrant, complex and fascinating characters in an "accessible, fun production".

"This show has been a long time in the making and I couldn’t be more delighted to be working with a team that have completely embraced my ambition and vision to get Shakespeare performed live on the Galtres Centre stage," he says.

"We're used to seeing live streamed productions in Easingwold from the country’s leading companies, but for me, there’s no experience quite like seeing actors live on stage, and we have a fantastic cast who will certainly deliver an exceptional experience for audiences."

In some of Shakespeare's most highly charged and dramatic scenes, The Merchant Of Venice examines prejudice, tolerance, justice and loss. These themes resonate with a 21st century audience as they did in Shakespeare’s own time; in fact recent stagings of the play have included the Royal Shakespeare Company setting it in contemporary Las Vegas, bringing the issues of greed and capitalism to the fore.

Easingwold Players are opting for a more traditional setting of 16th Century Venice, complete with lavish period costumes and a stylised, simple set.

"The Merchant is not often performed as it deals with some controversial and sensitive issues around race and discrimination, but I didn’t want to opt for one of Shakespeare’s lighter play," says Richard.

"The themes in The Merchant Of Venice are relevant to Easingwold audiences today and there’ll also be plenty of comedy in our production as well as some fantastic characters."

The cast includes Veronica Flanagan-Wright as Portia, John Lister as Shylock, Phil Grainger as Bassanio and Jonathan Lewis as Antonio.

Veronica has performed previously in professional productions with York company The Flanagan Collective and is balancing her full-time job as head of religious education at the Joseph Rowntree School with rehearsals.

She will take a break from rehearsals over Easter, however, when she jets off to New Zealand on her honeymoon with husband Alexander Wright, the Coxwold playwright and director of The Flanagan Collective.

"Portia is one of Shakespeare’s iconic female roles and is a pleasure to explore different ways to portray her," says Veronica. "I identify with the fact that she is a strong woman, who controls the courtroom in the famous pound of flesh scene. I’m really enjoying rehearsals and will use the long flight to New Zealand to learn my lines!"

Further cast members will be Will Grice as Gratiano; Naomi Richardson as Nerissa; Maia Szyszka, Balthazar; Emily Thomas, Jessica; Lewis Fearnley, Lorenzo; Dave Jarman, Launcelot; John Drew, Old Gobbo; Brian Goodyear, Tubal; Simon Stephens, Prince of Morocco; and Kieren Hardy, Duke of Venice.

Tickets for the 7.30pm performances cost £8, 16 and under £6, on 01347 833472.