What is X? I would stage the play in Venice along some channel with boats floating around in it, the boat drivers sing "That's Amore'" in the distance. I wouldn't do a modern version seeing as anti-semetism is socially unnacceptable, unless you staged it in the middle east and anti-semetism is a big plater in this play. "What does X do?" I would assume that most people are fools who would'nt have an appreciation of elizibethian English, so the plays dialogue would have to be modernized.I would try to stay as close to the original text as possible though. I don't really have a creative vision for the merchant of venice just yet because I am onlt 2 acts in.