Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
Shakespeare’s razor-sharp piece is superbly reimagined in a new production helmed by director Emily Burns.
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| Isis Hainsworth as Isabella. Photo by Helen Murray. |
Given a modern setting, this fast-paced exploration of truth and deception feels more relevant than ever. This fresh take on Measure For Measure is a riveting exploration of the dark corners of human nature and shines a light on lies, abuse, power, and the quest for justice.
The piece begins with images projected onto the set of modern-day controversial figures, faces like Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Harvey Weinstein, and more, are all cast onto the stage. This sets the tone for what is to come.
When the Duke of Vienna chooses to go into hiding, he appoints Angelo to govern in his place. The Duke, however, disguises himself as a Friar and stays behind to observe Angelo's rule.
This piece examines the abuse of power that Angelo subsequently employs. He prosecutes Claudio for getting a young girl pregnant out of wedlock, choosing to penalise him with execution. Claudio pleads with his friend, Lucio, to send in his sister and soon-to-be nun, Isabella, to beg for his life. Angelo refuses Isabella's request for Claudio's life, refusing unless she sleeps with him.
The Duke ultimately intervenes and introduces Mariana, Angelo's ex-fiancée, to Isabella, who agrees to go in Isabella's place. This scene is brilliantly realised with a dark edge that ends the first act.
The second act explores the after effects of this incident as the returned Duke regains his power and seeks vengeance for the acts that have happened in his absence. The scenes of The Duke returns play out with cameras and screens projecting images of the stage. This pulsates the feeling and emotion of these scenes. This is a clever use of technology and really works as you get to feel up close the emotions of the characters.
The ambiguous ending of the text as The Duke proposes marriage to Isabella is navigated superbly. Isabella final action is ends the night, not as written, but adding a final flourish to an excellent production.
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| The company. Photo by Helen Murray. |
Adam James is tremendous as The Duke. He excels in his emotional delivery. Balancing the power and the heart. Ultimately, he is on a quest to restore the right and bring justice, and James portrays this with real skill. Isis Hainsworth makes her RSC debut as Isabella. She is tremendous to watch. She brings layers of texture and emotion to the role. Tom Mothersdale as Angelo is a slimy, sleazy, power-abusing figure, reminiscent of the faces projected on the stage at the start of the production.
The supporting ensemble enhances the narrative with their rich portrayals, bringing depth to a timeless tale that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Although some of the delivery of the text is on the quieter side, meaning that not every line can be heard, and with some of the staging, it means that characters do have their backs occasionally to the audience. The stage and costume design by Frankie Bradshaw brings everything into a clinical and modern setting. It's all very clean and precise.
Emily Burns has once again demonstrated her exceptional ability to weave modern relevance into classic texts. Her directorial experience and vision shine in this production, emphasizing the urgent themes that Shakespeare explored centuries ago. The clarity of Burns's work means his production is a riveting evening of theatre that uses those themes and brings them right up to a 2025 audience, making it as relevant as it ever has been.
Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado or new to this piece, this version of Measure for Measure is a powerful reminder of the timeless struggle between morality and power. Don't miss the chance to experience this impactful retelling that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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Measure for Measure runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon until Saturday, 25th October 2025. Tickets are available from https://www.rsc.org.uk/measure-for-measure/
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| Isis Hainsworth as Isabella and Oli Higginson as Claudio. Photo by Helen Murray. |
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