Measure for Measure Theatre Productions

Question 1

1983 Production, Juliet Stevenson as Isabella: 12 minutes before she knelt to beg for Angelo to be pardoned

Answer 1

Highlights Isabella’s internal conflict of whether to forgive or to not - theme of mercy.

Question 2

Charles Laughton as Angelo:

Answer 2

Played Angelo as a frightening villain, adding to the threat over Isabella. Proves that how far the audience wants him to be punished depends very much on interpretation.

Question 3

Peter Brook had Gielgad play Angelo in Stratford (1950), played him with “suppressed […] nobility”

Question 4

2005 production (Dove), Mark Rylance as the Duke:

Answer 4

Dressed fully as King James I.

Question 5

Brook’s production, 1950:

Answer 5

Had many cuts, removed most remnants of the Duke’s deceit, making him more admirable to the audience.

Question 6

BBC Bard on the Box - Angelo:

Answer 6

• attempts to rape Isabella, before restraining himself and telling her to return the next day , gives her ‘choice’

Question 7

BBC Bard on the Box - The Duke:

Answer 7

• shows him with a whisky in hand, watching the shocking sexual acts in Vienna via CCTV

Clearly shows how too much liberty has led to an out-of-control society