Measure for Measure at The RSC Review
Measure for Measure production image. Photo by Helen Murray
Written by Hollie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Caution: This show contains Loud Music, Flashing Lights, haze, sexual references including simulated sex acts and scenes of an adult nature including sexual violence.
“All men are bad and in their badness reign,” is one of the opening lines in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, and depending on the audience's perception, commonalities and differences can be made between Shakespeare’s famous men and the men of the modern day.
The opening of the Autumn and Winter Season begins at Stratford-upon-Avon’s RSC this September with their first production of the season, Shakespeare’s dark comedy ‘Measure for Measure’ directed by Emily Burns, who wonderfully directed last year’s adaptation of ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost.’
Ever relevant and prominent in today’s society this modern adaptation with its symbolism, clinical scenery and quick wit provides hard-hitting messages and morals for the audience to reflect on throughout the evening.
The audience is met in the auditorium by a bare, silver, reflective stage that features a door, a staircase, and some green benches that are a cross between the benches found in an old gymnasium and those in the House of Commons. Videos of American and British Politicians from the Modern Day and as far back as Bill Clinton are displayed across the silver stage, as well as clips of Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein and Philip Schofield.
Some of the greatest scandals, distractions, and cover-ups in politics and news have happened within the last thirty years, but things were no different in Vienna for Duke Vincentio.
With a talented cast led by Adam James playing the Duke, this production would have had Shakespeare himself laughing and loving this adaptation. Adam James’ recent TV and film credits include The Day of the Jackal, Doctor Foster, and Wicked, but in his debut season for the RSC, he plays the manipulative and clever Duke of Vienna who decides to leave his post there temporarily as he feels that the city has become morally corrupt.
His likeness to Tony Blair is not lost on me as his ruthless deputy Angelo, played by Tom Mothersdale begins to enforce some rules and laws that possibly should have been carried out long ago. Is Angelo the right person to lead Vienna in the Duke’s absence? Only time will tell!
Both male protagonists are played believably well by Adam and Tom. Individually, they are attuned to the power and deception that they need to portray but their depiction in the second act, when the tables are turned, when one is looking for redemption and the other has fallen from his temptation, are incredibly well performed.
Audience members are transported to a cleverly designed prison where prisoner Claudio has been arrested for getting possession of his fiancée Juliet’s bed. Juliet is now pregnant, but as the couple are not wed, Claudio is seen to be punished for fulfilling his desires and breaking the law.
Burns’ adaptation of Measure for Measure remains fast-paced and engaging, particularly as the two younger men Claudio and his friend Lucio, played by Oli Higginson and Douggie McMeekin respectively, talk through Claudio’s misdemeanor and situation in prison. Confessions and sins are admitted, but will Claudio be set free or sentenced to death?
Hoping to save her brother by pleading with Angelo enters from Stage Right, Isabella played by Isis Hainsworth. Isis strongly brings the gentle and caring sister to life and when the relationship between herself and that of her brother is explored at the prison she really comes into her own.
After the interval, the second half feels like a contrast to the first with clever camera angles, the use of technology and an even more stripped back stage. The stripped back stage allows for the characters to be exposed and reputations to suffer. With Angelo being ‘honest in nothing but his clothes’ the villains battle it out and the evidence provided from the covert camera feels very Matt Hancock style in its presentation.
What a world is this? A world which feels oddly real but slightly setback in the distance from the modern day. A superb and inventive retelling of one of Shakespeare’s most classic plays.
If you would like to laugh, question and explore this powerful production of Measure for Measure then you can watch it at the RSC until Saturday 25th October 2025.
The RSC’s Season for 2026 has just been announced with Kenneth Branagh as Prospero in The Tempest from 13th May - 20th June 2026, as well as the RSC’s first co-production with Unicorn Theatre in their adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream from 19th June - 30th August.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
