Measure for Measure is a 'refreshing adaptation'

It cannot be classified as one of the Bard’s comedies, tragedies or histories and is one of those hybrid plays that has elements of each in both its plot and writing but defies compartmentalism.

The Company of Ten’s Derek Coe has always been fascinated by the play and has created an adaptation that, while transported to a different era, incorporates all the finest elements of the original.

And despite the limited space of the Abbey Theatre Studio, and its performance on a suitably sparse set, the adaptation is a revelation.

Derek, who also directs the production, sets his reworking in Vienna between the two wars rather than the 16th century city,

It demonstrates that so many of the elements of the original – devious and corrupt politicians, sexual harassment, blackmail and the battle of good over evil – are just as pertinent today as they were in the 16th and 20th centuries.

Measure for Measure has a wealth of interesting characters and Derek retains the most relevant – the Duke who rules Vienna, his deputy Angelo who takes the reins in his absence, novitiate Isabella and Claudio, her brother, who has been sentenced to death by Angelo for getting his girlfriend pregnant.

Two scenes really stand out – the first when Angelo is trying to persuade Isabella to sleep with him despite her vows of chastity and the second where she meets with Claudio and he tries to persuade her to give in to Angelo’s desires.

Laurence Ward as Angelo is particularly powerful in all aspects of the role and Amy Wedgwood captures the horror of Isabella’s plight with the right degree of humility and spirit.

The ever-reliable Paul Manuel takes the role of the Duke who spends much of the play disguised as a Benedictine monk while Jo Emery, who takes three roles, is at her best as brothel keeper Mrs Overdone.

The comedy comes largely from Simon Harding’s fez-attired Lucio whose flitting from scene to scene is imbued with the lightest touch.

It is really refreshing to see an adaptation that remains so true to the original but cuts out some of Shakespeare’s verbosity. It deserves to be seen and enjoyed by many more audiences.

Measure for Measure runs until next Saturday (4) and tickets can be obtained at www.abbeytheatre.org.uk.