The Merchant of Venice, The Octagon, Howell Croft South, Bolton

COMEDY of the darkest kind, and probably Shakespeare’s most controversial play, The Merchant of Venice is undeniably brilliant, but uncomfortable viewing.

The company at The Octagon handle the difficult material with a light touch, illustrating the hypocrisy of the central Christian characters without ever overstating the point.

As the Jew, Shylock, David Fielder is a potent symbol of a man beaten down and driven to bloody revenge by bigotry.

The characters may take great delight in humiliating him, but in this morally complex play it is difficult for the audience not to side with the so-called “villain”.

Similarly, Wyllie Longmore’s Antonio is certainly a moral man, but the coldness with which Longmore portrays him means that it is hard to feel sympathy for this distant figure, even as he faces death.

Simply brilliant in the role of Portia, Emily Pithon presents a masterclass in contemporary Shakespearean acting. Her Portia is quick, charismatic and thoroughly engaging. Her suitor, Bassiano, may have won her heart fair and square, but one wonders if he would be able to keep up with his witty wife.

Paul Simpson provides genuine comic relief in the guise of Launcelot Gobbo, and yet even under his raucous appearance lies some tragedy.

Jenny Platt acquits herself beautifully in her first stage role since leaving the part of Violet Wilson in Coronation Street, and, along with Simeon Truby’s Gratiano, provides a feisty counterpoint to the greed and romance that lie at the heart of the tale.

It is a triumph of Mark Babych’s directing skills to have so upturned comedy into near tragedy, and a credit to the actors that, even in its toughest moments, the play never loses its sparkle.

Runs until October 11. For tickets, priced £9-£18.50, call 01204 520661.