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Measure For Measure
by
William Shakespeare
Directed by Mike Rogerson
20th - 27th March 2010
Vincentio, the Duke of Vienna, makes it known that he intends to leave the city on a diplomatic mission. He leaves the government in the hands of a strict judge, Angelo. Under the Duke's government, the city's harsh laws against fornication have been laxly enforced, but Angelo, who later reveals himself as a hypocrite, is known to be a hard-liner on matters of sexual immorality.
Claudio, a young nobleman, is betrothed to Juliet; having put off their wedding, he makes her pregnant out of wedlock. For this act of fornication he is punished by Angelo. Although he is willing to marry her, he is sentenced to death. Claudio's friend Lucio visits Claudio's sister Isabella, a postulant nun, and asks her to intercede with Angelo on Claudio's behalf.
Isabella obtains an audience with Angelo, and pleads to him for mercy. Over the course of two scenes between Angelo and Isabella, it becomes clear that he harbours lustful thoughts for her, and he eventually offers her a deal: Angelo will spare Claudio's life if Isabella will yield him her virginity. Isabella refuses, but she also realises that (due to Angelo's austere reputation) she will not be believed if she makes a public accusation against him. Instead she visits her brother in prison, and counsels him to prepare himself for death. Claudio vehemently begs Isabella to save his life, but Isabella refuses.
The Duke has not in fact left the city, but remains there disguised as a friar, in order to spy on his city's affairs, and especially the actions of Angelo. In his guise as a friar he befriends Isabella and arranges two tricks to thwart the evil intentions of Angelo.
Vincentio, the Duke |
Hamish Lawson |
Angelo, Deputy |
Charlie Cook |
Escalus,an ancient Lord |
Steve Williamson |
Claudio, a young gentleman |
Adam Peerbaccus |
Juliet, betrothed to him |
Rhianne Statom-Barnett |
Isabella, sister to Claudio |
Lottie Tyler |
Lucio, a fantastic |
Richard Ellis |
Provost |
Ian McBride |
The Friar |
Al Fowkes |
Elbow, a simple constable |
Simon Caporn |
Froth, a foolish gentleman |
Geoffrey Martyn |
Mistress Overdone, a bawd |
Diana Boswell |
Pompey, her pimp |
Bill Nolan |
Abhorson, an executioner |
Peter de la Wyche |
Barnardine, a drunken prisoner |
Simon Caporn |
Mariana, once engaged to Angelo |
Tracy Burns |
Francisca, a nun |
Helen Bingle |
PC |
Angus Macalister |
WPC |
Val Watkinson |
Whore/Secretary |
Helen Bingle |
Whore/Secretary/Nun |
Jenny Norris |
Thanks to Andrew Savage of Bang and Olufsen in Wilmslow for loan of projection equipment |
Thanks also to the Box Office team and all who have contributed to this production in any way |
The play was kindly sponsored by:
Espee Design/Chapel Interiors Ltd
A D Lang Butcher, Lindow Parade |
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Stage Manager |
Jill Hine |
Continuity (book) |
Christina Theobald |
ASM |
Liz Cook
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Wardrobe |
Pat Barrow
Jacque Bilsborough |
Properties |
Anne Cichocki
Linda Batson |
Sound Design and Operator |
Mark Seyler |
Lighting Design and Operator |
Martin Theobald |
Production Design |
Graham Boswell |
Set Construction |
The Green Room Team |
Rehearsal Photographs |
Chris Hills |
House Managers |
Celia Bonner
Hilary Pinnock
Paul Lewis |
Historical Note:
Due to family bereavements, The Duke (originally played by Martin Pritchard) and Elbow (originally played by Bob Stewart) were replaced at very short notice by Hamish Lawson and Simon Caporn respectively. |
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