Measure For Measure

Measure for Measure had its first official performance of Pop-up Globe’s Perth season at a 10.30am Saturday matinee. Directed by Dr Miles Gregory, this or the weekday matinee are considered the “off peak” performances of this season, which also includes Hamlet, Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. All of the shows are performed in a temporary “pop-up” recreation of Shakespeare’s second Globe Theatre, located in the grounds of Crown Perth.

Probably the wildest ride of the season, this is a sexy incarnation of what is sometimes called Shakespeare’s problem play - because it sits uneasily between comedy and tragedy. With more than a little ‘Moulin Rouge’ feel, Pop-up globe’s Measure for Measure becomes a black comedy which tackles the heavy issues and mysogyny in the script, gives its women some agency and removes some of the show’s traditional ambiguity. There are a couple of gender switches, which work well.

The music in all of the Pop-up Globe shows appears to be strong, but musicians Oscar West and Alec Steedman shine in this show, playing a plethora of different instruments. The music helps to give this show its light and lively feel, despite what can be rather dark themes.

Nottingham’s Company, which perform this show and Hamlet, are very strong and have a clear feel of ‘company’. Measure for Measure is led by Jonathan Tynan-Moss as The Duke, who returns incognito to his city of Vienna to observe. Tynan-Moss flips beautifully between his main character and alter ego, with the latter having the broad Southern American accent of an evangelical preacher, and he anchors the show beautifully. Clementine Mills is captivating as nun Isabella, showing great depth and a lot of fire as she attempts to negotiate for the life of her brother Claudio (a very solid performance by Adrian Hooke), facing execution for impregnating his fiancé Juliet (a lovely Amber Blease).

Lovely villainy from Hugh Sexton as deputy Angelo, playing nicely against the more reasonable Escalus, elegantly played in feminine form by Madeleine Lynch. Summer Millett is admirable as the duke’s jilted lover Mariana.

Max Loban leads the hijinks as a cheeky and sexy Lucio, very loved by the audience. Lovely bawdiness from Frith Horan as Pompey, Bryony Skillington as Mistress Overdone and Lydia Raynes as Froth. Fabulously ineffectual control is kept by Asalemo Tofete as Provost and a beautifully bumbling Barry de Lore as Elbow. Salesi Le’ota completes the principal cast as the Friar.

Costuming, led by Chantelle Gerrard, is beautiful, especially the use of excess and glamour on Lucio, and the showiness of the guards.

While Measure for Measure definitely has some adult themes, and some in the matinee audience were initially a little shocked, this show has beautiful heart and absolutely won over the crowd. A fun and feckless frolic, Measure for Measure is a delight.

Kimberley Shaw