Measure for Measure: Concept and Character

Our show, Measure for Measure, is a tale of state oppression and corruption in Vienna. Our concept for the show is to modernise it so that it is set in Northern England, 1989, during the 'second summer of love'. This setting has been chosen because of the remarkable similarities between the themes and zeitgeist of the two time periods. In the original play, the city is rife with brothels and parties, and sexual liberty has reached a point that is deemed unacceptable by the government. In 1989, the discovery of ecstasy and the acid house dance music craze lead to a wave of illegal raves and parties mixing the music, drug and youth cultures together in a powerful movement. This was portrayed by the media as a terrible and dangerous thing, and the government made efforts to shut these down using the police and by passing new anti rave laws. Therefore it is clear how the story may be transferred into an environment that will connect more with a contemporary audience.

I was cast as Duke Vincentio, the head of state in Vienna who hands over control temporarily to Angelo in order to view the city from an unbiased pair of eyes, seeing who is in the right and who has succumbed to the lure of corruption. I am playing the duke in Act III and Act IV Scene 1, as the part is being played by multiple actors. During this time, the Duke is in disguise as a friar so I will have to incorporate these mannerisms into my character. Also, because the part is being played by multiple actors, it may prove beneficial to include certain aspects of the other actors' portrayals into my own character in order to make clear the character is one and the same.