Dark Comedy Gives Fringe Fix For Bard Addicts
Dark Comedy Gives Fringe Fix For Bard Addicts
For the fifth year Shakespeare fans will get a chance to feed their passion in the Fringe with Eastbourne’s Bard in the Yard production of his dark adult comedy, Measure for Measure.
Measure for Measure’s
themes are uncannily up to date which probably explains its
increasing popularity worldwide. Recent productions have
explored themes such as corrupt government and the misuse of
power, the balance between mercy and justice, the dangers of
fundamentalism and extremism, and the state’s role in
controlling sexual behaviour.
“I’m surprised Wellington audiences haven’t seen much of this play,” says director, John Marwick. “It includes some of Shakespeare’s most powerful scenes, most beautiful language, most thought provoking themes, and some lesser-known but fascinating and even bizarre characters; a combination that we couldn’t resist”.
The play is set in a city that has declined into moral decay. The Duke steps aside leaving his puritanical deputy, Angelo to clean up the city while he secretly observes, disguised as a friar. Angelo resorts to archaic laws to enforce strict standards of morality; the brothels are closed and fornicators beheaded. Young Claudio has got his fiancée pregnant and is condemned to death. His sister Isabella, just about to become a nun, pleads Claudio’s case with Angelo. But Isabella faces a religious and moral dilemma when the deputy’s lust is inflamed and he offers Claudio’s life in exchange for her virginity. How the disguised Duke contrives to trick and then confront an increasingly corrupt Angelo is the central story of the play. But Shakespeare’s also populates his city with wonderfully eccentric and funny characters and seasons the bleak and serious side with comedy and love.
Marwick has
set the play in late nineteenth century Europe – the time
and look of the Moulin Rouge movie. “A story about
appearance and reality fits well into those times,” he
says. “On the surface a very respectable society but with
a sordid underbelly.”
.
Measure for Measure will
be the fourteenth annual Shakespeare produced by
Eastbourne’s prize-winning Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe
and Marwick’s eleventh. He has attracted a large cast of
experienced Shakespearean actors both locally and from all
over Wellington.
The production is outdoors on the
specially built school yard stage but moves into the
adjoining hall in bad weather. Audiences should dress
warmly. Bookings are recommended because the short season
may books out.
Measure for
Measure
7.30pm Tuesday 16th – Saturday 20th
February
Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe. Muritai School
Yard, Muritai Road, Eastbourne.
Tickets: Adults $15,
Supergold and student cards $12, School children and Fringe
addict cards $10
Online bookings: www.bctt.org.nz. Phone bookings: 0832
77790. Sales: Rona Gallery, Eastbourne
ENDS