Measure for Measure – 1992
Director Mo Pearce
‘Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure’ act 5 scene 1
Why ‘Measure for Measure’? My first real introduction to the play was playing Isabella in 1974. It is a great part. That production not only gave me the opportunity to work on the character of one of Shakespeare’s most forthright and independent heroines, but also led me to discover, a whole range of characters, high-life and low-life, a complex plot, and some ringing verse. This was a fascinating combination that has interested and challenged me ever since. Although ‘Measure for Measure’ is not perhaps one of Shakespeare’s best known plays it is currently very popular with professional theatre companies world-wide. According to a recently published book on the play there have been as many as nine international productions in one year. The text is open to many different interpretations and can be approached from a moral, political, social or philosophical stand-point.
But ‘The George’ is an out-door venue and ‘Measure for Measure’ is a comedy and for me that’s not a combination suited to deep, dark, intense, and introverted production. So I have chosen to interpret the play in what I hope is a broad, direct and out-going way, and I hope that you will share with us a lively and entertaining story, full of twists and turns with a good measure of the unexpected.
The play was written and first performed in 1604 at the beginning of the Jacobean period, about the same time that ‘The George’ (then The George and Dragon), was built and subsequently used for out-door theatrical performances. For the setting of this year’s play The George’s original courtyard has been enhanced in Jacobean style, and will together with costumes designed in the same period underline a traditional production. I hope that the three strands, play, costumes and set provide a really enjoyable evening and if the weather is kind, give you a full Measure for Measure.
Cast
DUKE VINCENTIO Michael Williamson
ANGELO Martin Nicholls
ESCALUS Jack Hyde
LUCIO Patrick Clow
CLAUDIO David Gautrey
POMPEY Ian Whiteley
PROVOST Charles Riddell
ELBOW Tony Gaskell
FROTH Ian Hooper
ABHORSON David Veal
FRIAR PETER David Oxlee
VARRIUS, GUARD TO VINCENTIO Matthew Hall
CRASSUS Peter Barton
BARNADINE Adrian Rigglesford
JUSTICE Adrian Rigglesford
ISABELLA Sharon Cannings
MARIANA Sheila Macdonald
JULIET Melissa Poulter
FRANCESCA Sharon Rudd
MISTRESS OVERDONE Pam Nicholls
FIRST BAWD Tricia Peroni
SECOND BAWD Carolyn Noble
MISTRESS ELBOW Carol Watson
MAIDS/LADIES IN WAITING TO MARINA Kate Aldred, Nicola Gunton, Sharon Rudd, Cheryl Griffiths
Production Team
Director Mo Pearce
Stage Manager John Morgan
Set Design Sue Talbot
Stage Construction Nigel Callaghan & Team
Stage Crew Chris Hunnam, Peter Levitt, Bob Pugh, David White, Tony Mullins, Matthew Redmond, Gareth
Set Construction Sue Talbot, John Morgan & Members of the Company
Lighting Design Roger Blackmore
Lighting Team Roger Blackmore, Malcolm Lyons, Mel Pugsley, Andy Kendon, Ruth Taylor, Gill Butler, Graeme Hammond, Pat Hamilton
Sound Gerry Davison, Maggie Redgrave
Sound Equipment SJC Services
Properties Victoria & David Watson
Make-Up Lynda Morgan, Tricia James
Costumes Wendy Usher
Wardrobe Team Terry Dick, Jo Fradley, Marian Cook, Rosemary Eason, Trish James, Jan Sheppeard, Mo Pearce, Gladys Meredith, Vanessa Marlowe
Continuity Vivienne Dyer
Front of House & Sales Keith Phillips, Eric Usher & Team
Photographs Simon Ellis ABIPP AMPA
Publicity Martine Peulevé, Michael Williamson, Keith Phillips, Trish James & Rosie Austen
Poster Design Andrew Goold
Company Dance Director Pam Williams
Leave a Reply