A ground-breaking new production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice - starring former Eastenders star Tracy-Ann Oberman - will come to Malvern this autumn.

Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936 as Shakespeare’s classic is transported to 1930’s Britain in this “striking and impactful” new production.

Tracy-Ann - also known for her roles in Doctor Who and Friday Night Dinner - makes history as the first British actress to play Shylock.

It is directed and adapted by Brigid Larmour from an idea by co-creator Tracy-Ann herself.

She said: “It has a been a lifelong dream of mine to bring this play to the stage in a new way, reimagining Shylock as a one of the tough, no-nonsense Jewish matriarchs I grew up around.

"I am delighted this project is finally happening and look forward to sparking debate and enlightening people about a pivotal but largely forgotten part of British history - just how close the establishment were to Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists.

"I cannot wait to take this important, sharp, sexy and heartfelt production to theatres around the country.”

Joining Tracy-Ann and reprising their roles are Hannah Morrish (Antony and Cleopatra, Father Brown) who will play Portia, Raymond Coulthard (Emmerdale, Hotel Babylon) in the roles of Antonio and Arragon and Gavin Fowler as Bassanio (Henry V, King Lear).

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?

The Merchant of Venice 1936 creative team includes: Liz Cooke (costume and set design), Rory Beaton (lighting design) and Sarah Weltman (sound design). The composer is Erran Baron Cohen.

Prior to the UK tour in the autumn, the production opened to glowing reviews at Watford’s Palace Theatre earlier this year.

It will be at the Festival Theatre, Malvern from Tuesday, October 17 to Saturday, October 21.

For tickets, contact the Box Office on 01684 892277 or visit website.