Genre:

Theatre

Release Date:

Aug 2016

Sound Format:

Dolby stereo/DTS Surround

Catalog Number:

OA1218D

Shakespeare: Measure for Measure (Shakespeare’s Globe)

Naana Agyei-Ampadu (Juliet); Kurt Egyiawan (Angelo); Trevor Fox (Pompey); Dennis Herdman (Froth / Friar Thomas); Rosie Hilal (Mariana); Dennis Herdman (Abhorson / Friar Peter); Joel MacCormack (Claudio); Petra Massey (Mistress Overdone); Dean Nolan (Elbow / Barnadine); Brendan O’Hea (Lucio); Paul Rider (Escalus); Dominic Rowan (Duke Vincentio);

Shakespeare set this darkest of comedies in Vienna to cloak a scathing critique of hypocrisy in the corrupt authority of his own London. Purity and mercy do win out in the end, but not before audiences are treated to the lighter side of depravity in a ‘riotously enjoyable’ (Independent) ‘crowd-pleasing saucy romp’ (Evening Standard). In this, his Globe Theatre farewell, Director Dominic Dromgoole’s ‘buoyant production’ (Guardian) casts a Mariah Gale ‘so centred and self-possessed that Isabella’s conviction seems to reach every corner of the house without once turning cloying’ (New York Times).

Reviews

"Rich, messy and human... Mariah Gale gives a performance of delicacy and force as Isabella... As the Duke, Dominic Rowan milks the comedy from the scenes where his character is disguised as a friar, but he also brings a moral intricacy to the role." (The Stage ★★★★)

"Irrepressively lively... manages to make instantaneous shifts between uproarious bawdy and theatre-hushing seriousness." (The Independent ★★★★)

"Dominic Dromgoole’s staging finds more broad comedy in this dark, troubling play than you might expect." (The Financial Times ★★★★)

"Dominic Dromgoole shows all his experience in his final production in the Globe's outdoor space... Mariah Gale is an outstanding Isabella." (The Sunday Times ★★★★)

"A production that gives us light as well as shade ... Dromgoole’s production really sings." (Time Out ★★★★)

"The beautiful eloquence of the verse, and heartfelt nature of the acting, send unseasonal shivers down the spine." (The Daily Telegraph)

"Shakespeare without a safety net... It’s noisy, it’s earthy, it’s unruly… Here’s a corking good time, clear enough to make the play count, with a quite astonishing feat of acting at its heart." (Variety)