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Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure

Written by William Shakespeare
Performed in English
1994

Measure for Measure is about many different things; it always strikes me as a very modern play. It’s a play about control and how one of the ways that we are controlled, by not only governments, but by churches and other institutions that seek to control us, is shame.

We are controlled by shame. It starts with parents and it develops, and it is an extremely good way of controlling people.”
– Artistic Director Declan Donnellan

Produced by Cheek by Jowl. The first performance of Measure for Measure was at The University of Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry on 16th February 1994.

“The impact of Declan Donnellan’s powerful, intelligent production… was nothing short of cataclysmic”

The Observer
Cast and creative team

Cast

NameCharacter
Stephen BoxerThe Duke
Charles SimonEscalus
Adam KotzAngelo
Peter NeedhamFriar Peter / Pompey
Mark BazeleyLucio
Benjamin SoamesGentleman / Froth
Simon WalterGentleman / Abhorson
Marianne Jean-BaptisteMistress Overdone / Mariana
John GriffinProvost
Danny SapaniClaudio
Sheri GraubertJuliet / Francisca
Anastasia HilleIsabella
Malcolm ScatesElbow / Bernadine

Creative Team

RoleName
DirectorDeclan Donnellan
DesignerNick Ormerod
LightingJudith Greenwood
MovementJane Gibson
MusicPaddy Cunneen
Previous performances

Previous Performances

DateLocation
28–30 July 1994Almagro, Teatro Principal, Spain
20–22 July 1994Barcelona, Mercat de les Flors, Spain
14 June–17 July 1994London, Lyric Hammersmith, UK
7–8 June 1994Moscow, Arts Theatre, Russia
1–4 June 1994Saint Petersburg, Maly Theatre, Russia
26–29 May 1994Brighton, Theatre Royal, UK
17–22 May 1994Darlington, Civic Theatre, UK
11–16 May 1994Oxford, Oxford Playhouse, UK
27 April–5 May 1994Buenos Aires, Teatro General San Martin, Argentina
22–24 April 1994Montevideo, Millington Drake Theatre, Uraguay
19 April 1994Rio de Janeiro, Teatro dos Quatro, Brasil
16 April 1994Belo Horizonte, Teatro Sesiminas, Brasil
7–9 April 1994São Paolo, Teatro Sergio Cardosa, Brasil
3–5 April 1994Brasília, Teatro Nacional, Brazil
18–27 March 1994Tokyo, Globe Theatre, Japan
2–13 March 1994Perth, Octagon Theatre, Australia
22–27 February 1994Norwich, Theatre Royal, UK
16–19 February 1994Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre, UK
MoreSee also – Cheek by Jowl’s 2013–2019 production of Measure for Measure
Awards and reviews

Awards

Barcelona Critics Association 1994

Best Foreign Play – Measure for Measure

Ian Charleson Award 1994

Second Prize – Anastasia Hille for Measure for Measure

Ian Charleson Award 1994

Commendations – Mark Bazeley, Marianne Jean-Baptiste for Measure for Measure

Reviews

“The impact of Declan Donnellan’s powerful, intelligent production… was nothing short of cataclysmic.”

The Observer

“Cheek by Jowl has always been run with an exemplary humanity and here it spills onto the stage and passionately engages with the forces of punishment and sexual hypocrisy.”

Time Out

“Clearly some liberties survive even in the world of puritan hypocrisy that Donnellan, staying true to Shakespeare, has so breathtakingly evoked.”

The Guardian
Production photo
Photograph: John Haynes
Production photo
Photograph: John Haynes

“Cheek by Jowl has always been run with an exemplary humanity and here it spills onto the stage and passionately engages with the forces of punishment and sexual hypocrisy”

Time Out

Why give you me this shame?

Act III scene i

Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.

Act I scene iv

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