The Quality of Mercy

Nearly didn't make it tonight - but so glad we did!
Sell out performance from the Globe theatre company at Liverpool Playhouse.
Laughter, hilarity, audience participation, quick moving scene changes, musical interludes, spectacular lighting, spoken word perfection.
With Jonathan Pryce outstanding as Shylock.
And that final scene...
I still have tears pricking in my eyes when I think of it.

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes
The thronèd monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings,
But mercy is above this sceptered sway.
It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings.
It is an attribute to God himself.
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice.