October 22, 2012
The Bard at the bar: The 'Merchant of Venice' mock trial, Oct. 23
Submitted by Daralyn Gordon Arata, Esquire
In an imaginary case drawn from the facts of the "Merchant of Venice" but firmly rooted in law, Shylock from Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" is appealing his case to a panel of distinguished judges at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in Nichols Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.
In conjunction with the weeklong residency of the Actors from the London Stage and the group's performance of Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice," the university's pre-law program, in conjunction with the English department, the Friends of McCain and the program in cultural studies, is holding a mock appeal by Shylock to the Supreme Court of the City-State of Venice.
The presiding judge of in the three-judge panel is Stephen D. Hill of the Kansas Court of Appeals. He will be joined by Maritza Segarra, judge from the Kansas 8th District, and the Sheila P. Hochhauser, magistrate judge of Riley County.
Shylock will be represented by Jeffrey Jackson, a Washburn law professor, and Jeremiah L. Platt, a member of the Manhattan firm of Clark & Platt Chtd. Defending the City-State of Venice and Portia, Jessica and Lorenzo, are the attorneys Ryan Rosauer, a member of the local firm of Weary Davis, and Britain D. Stites, assistant public defender. The audience will be the jury.