Measure for Measure was written by William Shakespeare between 1603 and 1604. It is a comedy, however it is viewed as one of Shakespeare’s ‘problem plays’ due to an often dark tone and oppressive themes. The first recorded performance of the play was on Boxing Day, 1604. During the restoration, Measure for Measure was adapted to appeal to a new more forward-think audiences. It has very sexual themes including a lot of sexual humour that would not have passed as smoothly with audiences in the early 17th century.
Synopsis
As the play opens, Duke Vincentio of Vienna hands control of the city over to his deputy, Angelo, asking him to take over in order to bring order to the corruption and lechery of the party town. The Duke then goes into hiding as a friar, watching over this deputy and the changes in the city.
Angelo's first act is to crack down on lechery. Claudio is imprisoned and sentenced to execution for impregnating his fiancé, Juliet. His sister, Isabella, is informed of this and rushes to ask Angelo for forgiveness and a pardon. Angelo is reluctant, until she offers to bribe him. He then requests her virginity in return for a pardon for her brother. Isabella refuses.
Isabella tells her brother of his fate, and he begs for her compliance. The duke, dressed as a friar, overhears Isabella talking of Angelo's requests and hatches a plan with her to smite him. This involves using Angelo's previous fiancé in Isabella's place.
After this plan unfolds, the Duke returns to Vienna, and reveals Angelo as a corrupt deputy.
The play focusses on themes such as the dichotomy between corruption and purity; sexual desire, and tyranny of state control.
Cheek By Jowl - Measure for Measure
The show was performed from 2013 to 2015, and was set in modern day Russia. Cheek by Jowl are a contemporary company based in London. The show was translated into Russian by the company, a group of entirely Russian actors. Similarly to our own show, they focussed on state control, this time in the so-called Russian democracy under Putin. They covered state censorship, lack of freedom of expression, and sexuality. It's style was simple, with lots of military wear incorporated into the costumes and block red colours calling back to the Soviet Union and the oppression that came with it. In particular, my character, the Duke, was changed slightly for this production, as he was presented as part of the Putinesque government, a political figure rather than a royal one. This took some of the fun from the character, making him appear more cold.
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