Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604. It was (and continues to be) classified as comedy, but its mood defies those expectations. Some critics have labelled it as one of Shakespeare's problem plays. [1]

Performance history in South Africa

1973: Produced by Sue Curtis for the University of Stellenbsoch Amateur Theatre at the Libertas Theatre opening 15 May 1973. The cast included Alistair Henderson, Stephen Curtis, David Schalkwyk and David Bensusan.

1975: Staged by the University of Cape Town Drama Department in the Little Theatre, directed by Mavis Taylor, with a student cast including Etienne Puren (Vincentio), Paul Herzberg (Angelo), Peter Cartwright (Escalus), Jonathan Rands (Claudio), Bobby Heaney (Lucio), Philip Godawa ((a Fantastic), Charles Whaley (Provost), Allan Goldstein (Pompey), Jane Auld (Isabella), Clare Stopford (Chorus) and others.

1981: Staged by the University Theatre Stellenbosch in the H.B. Thom Theatre in April 1981, directed by Pat Harvey, with Johann van Heerden (Vincentio), Noël Roos (Angelo), Jannie Hofmeyr (Escalus & Flautist), Andrew Knight (Claudio), Peter Holden (Lucio), Anton Smith (Singer & 1st Gentleman), Johan Rademan (Abhorson & 2nd Gentleman), Emile Aucamp (Provost), Lourens Strydom (A Justice & Messenger), Willie Lategan (Friars Thomas & Peter), Hannes Baard (Elbow), Neels Engelbrecht (Froth), Murray Bridgman (Pompey), Lochner de Kock (Barnardine), Pamela Moag/Wilna Engelbrecht (Isabella), Zoettje Strachan/Adèle Marais (Mariana), Hélène Truter/Linda Jacobs (Juliet), Daniële Stevens/June van Merch (Franciska) and Sharon Theron/Theresa Marais (Mistress Overdone). Music arranged and orchestrated by Paul du Plessis and performed by Jannie Hofmeyr, Cobus Botes, Linda Jacobs, Emile van Wyk and Adèle Marais. Costumes by Elaine Aucamp and lighting by Emile Aucamp.

1987: Presented by CAPAB Drama at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, opening 16 January 1987. Directed by Francois Swart, design by Dicky Longhurst, lighting by Malcolm Hurrell. The cast: Michael Brunner (Vincentio), Keith Grenville (Angelo), Don Maguire (Escalus), David Dennis (Claudio), Ralph Lawson (Lucio), Mark Graham (Barnardine and 1st Gentleman), Mark Hoeben (Abhorson and 2nd Gentleman), André Roothman (Provost), David Alcock (Friar and Justice), Phillip Boucher (Pompey), Glynn Day (Elbow), Willie Fritz (Froth), Mary Dreyer (Isabella), Pauline O'Kelly (Mariana and Courtesan), Susan Dall (Juliet), Victoria Bawcombe (Francisca), Diane Wilson (Mistress Overdone), Chris Buchanan (Guard), Fiona Coyne (Bawd).

Sources

UCT theatre programme (undated).

UTS theatre programme, April 1981

Measure for Measure theatre programme, 1987.

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