MEASURE FOR MEASURE

AUGUST 4-6, 2023
SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 (Free Fringe Philly)

"Redeem thy brother
By yielding up thy body to my will,
Or else he must not only die the death,
But thy unkindness shall his death draw out
To ling’ring sufferance."

Berserker Theatre presents a play that could be ripped from today’s headlines, Measure for Measure. Shakespeare’s probing and provocative cross-examination of the clash between the desire for justice and the need for mercy.

In Measure for Measure, Shakespeare presents us with a corrupt world in which long-standing precedent is upended without warning, rulers test each other at the expense of the lives of citizens, and justice and order are ultimately brought about by deception. The characters are suddenly having to maneuver around a system that is rapidly changing beneath their feet and struggling to hold onto their values. We long to see the story end with a triumphant victory of justice or a glorious revolution but Shakespeare unsatisfactorily leaves us with our characters momentarily (we hope) culled into silence. In the absence of a clear answer or hero, the audience is left to imagine what will happen next and perhaps how they would respond to similar corruption in their own world.

Directed by Elise D'Avella and Drew Scott
Dramaturg - Emily Scott
Sound Design - Kevin Mucchetti

Cast:
Dan Cullen - Duke
Alec Farquharson - Lucio, Escalus
Triston Haq - Claudio, Pompey
Kevin Mucchetti - Angelo, Barnardine
Jess Otterbine - Isabella, Overdone, Juliet
Emily Scott - Provost, Mariana