THIS year's Shakespeare plays at the Ludlow Festival will have a very 20th century look writes Michael Baws.

When The Merchant of Venice opens the three-week event in the castle tomorrow evening, it will be in what director Michael Bogdanov describes as "an abstract modern style".

On Saturday night the audience will see The Winter's Tale in a mixture of styles from the 1930s to the present day with a brief glimpse at the world of Edward VII.

Memorable

The two plays will clearly be as memorable and thought-provoking as Bogdanov's version last year of Merry Wives of Windsor in which Philip Madoc donned a rakish boater as Sir John Falstaff.

When he was invited to direct Merry Wives, Bogdanov said he would do it if he could put on two plays this year. It is a challenge he enjoys. Rehearsals with Madoc and the same Welsh company that made Merry Wives such a success began in Cardiff six weeks ago.

"It's very good to have a group of actors like this who know each other well," says Bogdanov. "It means we can start working closely from the start of rehearsals and do a tremendous amount in a short period."

The vicious treatment of Shylock the Jew by the traders of Venice has made The Merchant a tricky play to produce without upsetting modern audiences.

"It's easier to put it on now than it was 10 years ago," Bogdanov admits. "At one time many people thought it should never be performed again."

Favourite

He shakes his head at the stupidity of banning Shakespeare. "Now it is possible to see it as a plea for racial tolerance."

The Merchant is comparatively well known. The Winter's Tale is rarely shown although Bogdanov feels that for many people it can become a favourite.

He hedges his bets on his own favourite but high on his wish list is to direct both parts of Henry IV alongside Henry V at the same Ludlow Festival.

Just imagine that against the dramatic backdrop of the castle. A strong success this year should help Bogdanov's cause.