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MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Dates of performance
16 JANUARY 1987
Overview
Measure for Measure is an inspired play. A main theme is government, the mystery of state; it’s workings, whether satisfactory or not. We now appreciate, in this century better than before, how much Shakespeare’s mind reflected upon the problems of Society, of government and order. They were naturally much in mind at this moment of the take-over by James1 from Elizabeth, the coming of a new dynasty. The first words of this play are….
Of government the properties to unfold…….
The Duke, withdrawing to observe and test the rule of his Deputy, Angelo, has been too permissive and let slip
The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds...
Sith ‘twas my fault to give the people scope,
‘Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them
For what I bid them do: for we bid this done
When evil deeds have their permissive pass
And not the punished
The Deputy is a precise, stern, cold-seeming man – when he makes water, his urine is congealed ice, says Lucio- and he puts the law against fornication into effect, thus catching Claudio, who has got his girl with child before marriage. This is pretty harsh; but the detestable Puritans under the Commonwealth brought in the death-penalty against adultery, though it remained a dead letter through the common sense of the country, with which they wee never keeping. The Duke knows well that his Deputy is precise and scarce confess that his blood flows. Now
Shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be.
Power is apt and, now that he has the chance, the Deputy is determined to enforce the death-penalty on offending Claudio. He is prevented only by himself falling from grace, by arranging an assignation with Claudio’s chaste sister, Isabella- as he thinks, but for whom his own betrothed, whom he had deserted for insufficiency of dowry, is substituted. Such is the borders all the way along tragedy, until the Duke reveals himself and puts things right.
Cast List
| VINCENTIO | The Duke | MICHAEL BRUNNER |
| ANGELO | The Deputy | KEITH GRENVILLE |
| ESCALUS | An ancient Lord | DON MAGUIRE |
| CLAUDIO | A young gentlemen | DAVID DENNIS |
| LUCIO | A Fantastic | RALPH LAWSON |
| GENTLEMEN | MARK GRAHAM,MARK HOEBEN | |
| PROVOST | ANDRE ROOTHMAN | |
| FRIAR | DAVID ALCOCK | |
| POMPEY | Servant to Mistress | PHILLIP BOUCHER |
| ELBOW | A Constable | GLYNN DAY |
| FROTH | A foolish gentleman | WILLY FRITZ |
| ABHORSON | An Executioner | MARK HOEBEN |
| BARNARDINE | A dissolute prisoner | MARK GRAHAM |
| ISABELLA | Sister to Claudio | MARY DREYER |
| MARIANA | Betrothed to Angelo | PAULINE O KELLY |
| JULIET | Beloved of Claudio | SUSAN DALL |
| FRANCISCA | A Nun | VICTORIA BAWCOMBE |
| MISTRESS OVERDONE | OVERDONE | DIANE WILSON |
| GUARD | CHRIS BUCHANAN | |
| JUSTICE | DAVID ALCOCK | |
| ATTENDANTS | WILLY FRITZ,MARK HOEBEN | |
| COURTESAN | PAULINE O KELLY | |
| BAWD | ...... | FIONA COYNE |
Creative List
| DIRECTOR | FRANCOIS SWART |
| STAGE DIRECTOR | SKIP WRIGHT |
| STAGE MANAGER | LORRAINE BELLAMY |
| ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER | MERLE PRETORIUS; PAUL SMITH; DAVID CATHCART |
| LIGHTING OPERATOR | TONY GROENEWALD |
| SOUND OPERATOR | RICHARD BOTHA |
| STAGE HANDS | CHRIS BAATJIES & GREG KEARNS |
| WARDOBE MISTRESS | JULIE TINDILL |
| WIG MASTER | PHILIP LANG |
| PHOTOGRPAHY | DEREK BIERMANN |
| POSTER DISTRIBUTION | SHAIK RAHMAN |
