Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure was presented by an all-black female cast at The Public Theater from November 18 – December 8, 2019.
The mission of the production, according to the company site, is to “transport communities of the five boroughs to the vibrant streets of New Orleans for a bold new production of Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE directed by LA Williams.”
The story is set in Louisiana with festive beads, props, and costumes to fit the picture of Mardi Gras.
Before and after the show, the audience is led in a discussion surrounding justice and mercy, love and fear—the plays central themes. In response to the mission of the Mobile Unit, the theater-goers contemplated on whether a judicial system is set in place to offer justice, mercy, both, or neither.
Joan Marcus
The plot:
After being appointed by the Duke (Grace Porter), Angelo (Adrian Kiser) oversees New Orleans affairs and decides upon sentencing Claudio (Lily Santiago) to death for impregnating Juliet (Nora Carroll) before they are married. Angelo’s attempt to clean up the city in the Duke’s absence is highly concentrated on enforcing strict rules against sexual activity and misconduct.
When Claudio’s young and virtuous sister Isabella (Jasmine Batchelor) beseeches Angelo to have mercy on her brother, he agrees to set Claudio free in exchange for sex with Isabella.
The irony in Angelo sentencing Claudio to death for premarital sexual activity, while proposing to fornicate with Isabella, sets the tone for the gender inequalities to follow: men in power vs. women’s rights.
Joan Marcus
The tug of war is perpetuated after a series of mishaps and confessions when the Duke, who disguised himself as a friar, ultimately asks for Isabella’s hand in marriage. While Isabella aims to save her brother’s life, she sacrifices her freedom in being coerced to marry the Duke.
The Duke’s confession leads to the confession of others including Angelo’s foul act towards Claudio and his proposition for Isabella’s virginity.
Angelo is pardoned by being sentenced to marry Marianna. Claudio’s life is spared and he will marry his pregnant fiancee, Juliet, while Lucio will marry his prostitute.
Through the problematic societal structure and the stripping of independence on behalf of the female characters, there are ounces of humor carefully woven into the storyline.
Alfie Fuller’s comical Pompey is timed to balance the story’s injustices as Toccarra Cash uses facial expressions and gestures to gain a natural laugh from the audience.
Joan Marcus
Overall, the breaking of the walls, plastic buckets for drums, audience interaction, heartfelt singing and liturgical dance steps all add texture and context to Shakespeare’s classic, Measure for Measure.
For more information on The Public Theater, click here.
