Corcadorca has outdone itself with this atmospheric outdoor production, part of a series of site-specific works co-funded by the Cork 2005 Capital of Culture programme. Director Pat Kiernan's first smart move is to set the play's controversial depiction of Jews against the real problem of ethnic difference in contemporary Ireland: Shylock, Tubal and Jessica are all played by Polish actors, a reference to the large influx of Polish immigrants here in recent years. The next inspiration is brilliantly exploited locations: the first hour takes place in a courtyard outside an abandoned distillery, on platforms, rooftops and a set representing Shylock's house. And the action throughout is accompanied by a live band playing Mel Mercier's klezmer and gamelan score.
The first of three major segments of Jocelyn Clarke's adaptation takes us through to Antonio's imprisonment; it is the only part of the evening that starts to feel over-long and shouty. All is forgiven, however, as we enter the distillery and enjoy the divine interplay of Eileen Walsh and Niamh Linehan, playing Portia and Nerissa as birds in a gilded cage. This section benefits from fine acting and fresh interpretation, underlining the women's sexual frustration - which explodes into lustful delight with the arrival of Bassanio and Graziano (Mark D'aughton and Conor Moloney).
The sense of audience implication in the action is taken up a notch as extras bearing torches and placards with hateful racist slogans lead an uneasy journey over the River Lee to the city courthouse. Audience and extras fill the courtroom and gallery, and are cheek by jowl with the actors for Shylock's trial; Jerzy Gralek is brilliantly convincing as his life crumbles before him. His short journey on a sedan chair to the church for his baptism is chillingly effective as passers-by join the crowd, and city and production seem to merge.
· Until June 25. Box office: 00 353 21 427 8326.
