Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE. – Duke Vicentio
Shakespeare’s play “Measure for Measure” is one of those hysterical comedies that does not get enough recognition. Perhaps the reason is because it has the stigma attached of being dubbed a “problem play",
meaning many tribulations surface making it challenging to eradicate. It doesn’t help that no one is who he or she claims, making finding solutions difficult.
“Measure” has all the elements that the more successful productions, like “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Much Ado about Nothing” possess – perfect comedic timing, clever wit and vivid characters with no shame in speaking their mind. The one overt distinction is the women do not have freedom. This is true on all of Shakespeare’s other works. But, here, it seems the women’s fates are sealed before their first breath. It sounds more of tragedy pitting issues of pride, justice and truth against one another with any of them budging from their position. They are divided into three categories: prostitutes, nuns, or deserted lovers. How endearing.
My favorite character is the brothel owner Mistress Overdone played by Rebecca Lane. Her character’s name says it all. Another admirable and perplexing character is the virtuous Isabella (played wonderfully by Laura Lee Bahr). She learns that her brother Claudio (Brad Wilcox) will die because he impregnated his lover Juliet (Janel Miley). The only way to save her player brother is to have sex with the conniving Lord Angelo who sentenced Claudio to death. Isabella, god bless her virtuous heart, gruffly tells her beloved brother that she will not give up the goods to save him. Her life, yes but not her virginity. Claudio weeps at this news and, like a child wanting his undeserved treat; he wraps his arms around her legs while convincing to change her mind. No such luck. Angelo (David Bardeen) doesn’t give up and viciously dangles Claudio’s life in front of Isabella if she still refuses.
Meanwhile, the hunt is on for Angelo’s jilted lover Mariana (Tiffany Cole). He backed out of marrying her because a ship carrying her brother and dowry was wrecked in the sea. The girl lost her brother and her value. The Duke (Oded Gross) disguises himself as a friar in order to find out what really is going on. He comes up with an ingenious plan of having Isabella agree to have sex with Angelo but at the last minute Mariana steps in. By law, Angelo will have to marry her. But this is a comedy, and nothing goes according to plan, as expected.
Laura Lee Bahr, who doubles as Isabella and the producer, is absolute perfection as the virtuous heroine. Bahr conveys Isabella’s pain between saving her wretched brother Claudio and saving her purity. She goes back and forth like an intense tennis match trying to figure out what she can do without compromising herself. Bardeem drips with comical villainy as the treacherous Angelo by effortlessly combining terror and arrogance to create an even more sinister individual.
The play carries so much animosity, sadness and distrust it should be re-termed as a dark comedy. Under the careful direction by Morgan K. Nichols, these nuisances virtually disappear and the result is a polished execution without disturbing the humor Shakespeare intended. Angelo sentences Claudio to death for the same desires he feels for Isabella. Somehow he overlooks that. With the exception of a few souls, no one is truthful. Mariana takes Isabella’s place in Angelo’s bed. The Duke disguises himself to find out what’s going on. Marianna gladly steps into Isabella’s place. He and the provost substitute a pirate’s head as proof of Claudio’s death. The secret agent nonsense and manipulation would put daytime drama to shame. I love it!!
May 2nd to the 18th
Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.
Tickets available by calling (818) 508-3003 or in person at The Eclectic Company Theatre box office or on-line at www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org Tickets are $18.
Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Morgan K. Nichols. Produced by Laura Lee Bahr and Kerr Seth Lordygan.
Photos were taken by Elizabeth Dement.
