Measure for Measure
". . . in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use will be measured out to you . . . "
Shakespeare’s dark comedy explored corruption in high places, abuse of authority, legalism, hypocrisy, love and loyalty and incorporated intense relationship struggles, trickery and situational comedy; human nature is revealed as its weakest and strongest. The action of this play moves between the brothel, the prison, the church and the corridors of power in a fictional authoritarian state; posing spiritual and moral dilemmas for its audience in Shakespeare’s day and now.
“The play was probably first performed at the Globe Theatre on Bankside, near the brothels or ‘stews’, so that the original audiences could have had personal experience of seeing ‘corruption boil and bubble’ on their way to and from the theatre. The alehouse and house of resort owned at the beginning of the play by Mistress Overdone is sited in the suburbs, immediately outside the city proper’ (The New Cambridge Shakespeare)
It was performed again by the Shakespeare in Shoreditch Ensemble Upstairs at the Old Blue Last and at the Rose Theatre, Bankside (the site owned by the Globe Theatre) 24th January to 14th February 2009.
Cast and Crew
Isabella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennie Fox
Duke Vincentio . . . . . . . . Stuart Sessions
Angelo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Wade
Escalus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexander Gordon Wood
Claudio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamie Champion
Juliet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamila Jennings Grant
Lucio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stewart Bewley
Mistress Overdone . . . . . Darrie Gardner
Pompey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard de Lisle
Provost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liam Reilly
Francisca/Froth . . . . . . . . Jennifer Shakesby
Elbow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Haynes
Mariana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katy Andrew
Directed by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darrie Gardner
Props Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth Peck
Stage/Technical Manager . . . . . Paul Thomas (Old Blue)
Stage/Technical Manager . . . . . Ian Griffiths (Rose)
Check out the reviews page
