Last night, the kitties and I watched the BBC Shakespeare production of Measure for Measure. Shakespeare sure sprawls in this one. Its final scene goes on way too long, and John McEnery's Lucio goes on way too long as comedy relief. As to the production, it's very beautiful with wonderful sets and costumes, and very well cast. Kate Nelligan is wonderful as Isabella, and a young Alun Armstrong plays the kindly Provost. Adrienne Corri was a prettier Mistress Overdone than I expected, but I've loved her since she played the clan leader in Vampire Circus.
I don't believe I have ever even read MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
It's a very dark play of lechery and hypocrisy set in a Vienna where fornication is punishable by death. The Duke claims to go off on a mission and gives full reign to rule Vienna to his friend Angelo; instead, the Duke disguises himself as a priest Friar Lodowick to see what's going on. Angelo closes the brothels, locks up the pimps and whores, and condemns young Claudio to death for fornication. His sister Isabella, a novitiate nun, pleads for his life but Angelo promises to save Claudio on the condition that Isabella sleep with him. She, Friar Lodowick, and Mariana, the woman once betrothed to Angelo, plan to replace Mariana in Isabella's bed. The next day, Angelo breaks his word and orders Claudio's immediate execution, forcing the Duke's return from his journey. Before it's over, Isabella is forced to believe her brother dead, the kindly jailer Provost is in jeopardy for declaring the head of another prisoner as Claudio's, Mariana has to plead for Angelo's life, and it goes on too long.
