Joseph Millson, a Hertfordshire local for many years, on a fresh look at The Merchant of Venice and his own labour of love
Joseph Millson likes to be busy. It’s a matter of days since his run as Soames Forsyte at The Park Theatre has come to an end – “It was blooming extraordinary,” he says on that, “one of those once in a lifetime things.” – and he’s full pelt into rehearsals for another critically acclaimed play, The Merchant of Venice 1936. “I’m not sure who I bribed but it’s paying off!” he laughs about his work schedule. “I saw this production last year and thought it was incredible, and important. I’m over the moon to be joining such a landmark piece of theatre.”
A Landmark Production: The Merchant of Venice 1936
Back by popular demand following a sold-out run at the Criterion Theatre earlier this year, Shakespeare’s enduring classic is transported to 1930s East London against a backdrop of political unrest and the Battle of Cable Street. With the city on the brink of political unrest, fascism sweeping across Europe and Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists threatening a paramilitary march through the Jewish East End, strong-willed single mother Shylock runs a pawnbroking business from her house in Cable Street where Mosley will march. When charismatic, antisemitic aristocrat Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge, and who will pay the ultimate price?
Tracy-Ann Oberman returns in the role of Shylock, and she also adapted the production alongside Brigid Larmour. Joseph steps in as Antonio for this new UK tour. “He’s a bit of a monster and I seem to be playing a lot of unsavoury, baddie types the older I get,” Joseph grins. “But it’s important to note that though the audience can judge him as a fascist and unpleasant, Antonio believes he is right and helping to save the world by being on Mosley’s side.”
Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice has proved problematic over the years, with many seeing the role of Shylock as anti-semitic, but the story proves ripe to move into the 20th century. “It’s an absolutely brilliant fit for a play that had become problematic,” Joseph agrees when asked about the 1930s East London setting. “Embrace the problem, turn the unpleasantness up, framed properly so we can learn from it.”
Given his recent run at Park Theatre, and this impending UK tour, it’s clear the stage is a key driver for Joseph. “It’s the boxing ring for us actors, nothing quite tests you like it,” he says. But his screen work also impresses, with The Last Kingdom a stand out for Absolutely. “Oh I love The Last Kingdom,” he says delightedly. Is that a favourite screen role? “I’ve been so lucky, it’s impossible to pick one, but I recently had a great time shooting a thriller called The Amateur opposite Rami Malik. That’s out in April.”
Signs of Life: A Personal Project
Also out and doing the festival rounds now is Signs of Life, which has been written and directed by Joseph. A labour of love? “Absolutely! I wrote, produced, directed and did about 16 other jobs on it, from driving the minibus to making props. It was heaven to be in charge of things for once.
“I was inspired by so many things, some short films we made and then a feeling of wanting to really explore grief and kindness and how helping others is the best way to help ourselves,” he explains about the story. “The lead character, Anne, attempts to shift her life by taking herself on holiday but on arrival she meets with danger. A chance encounter with another solo traveller offers her an unexpected solution and a chain of surprising events unfold between two strangers which will either heal or crumble them completely. It’s a heart stopping drama with a side order of romantic comedy, with a score by Oscar winning composer Anne Dudley.”
It’s plenty for Joseph, who lived in Berkhamsted for many years before recently crossing the border into Bedfordshire, to juggle, but he couldn’t be happier for what 2025 holds in store. “I will be following Signs of Life on its festival journey, chasing my adult children around the world, paying my rent and going for walks,” he smiles. There’s just enough time to add in another stand out stage role, too.
Visit merchantofvenice1936.co.uk for details of the UK tour, plus search for signs of life film on social media for more about Signs of Life
