Measure for Measure

William Shakespeare

Measure for Measure, written between 1603 and 1604, is seen as one of Shakespeare’s problem plays due to its shift in mood. Vienna is beset with brothels and loose morality, so it's up to the Duke to provide some divine intervention.

Past productions

Our productions of Measure for Measure over the years have included some famous actors playing the virtuous Isabella: Judi Dench in 1962; Francesca Annis in 1974; Juliet Stevenson in 1983; Josette Simon in 1987; Stella Gonet in 1994; Emma Fielding in 2003.

View the gallery below to see production photos from some of these and other performances of the play.

Ben Iden Payne directed this 1940 production in which Pompey was played by Jay Laurier.

In this picture from Act 2 Scene 1, Pompey is in court with Froth (C Rivers Gadsby) and Elbow (Stanley Howlett), standing in front of Angelo (Basil Langton), Justice (Hedley Mattingley) and Escalus (Andrew Leigh).

Photo by Ernest Daniels © RSC Browse and license our images

Frank McMullan directed Measure for Measure in 1946, with a design by Otis Riggs.

The photograph shows Angelo (Robert Harris) propositioning Isabella (Ruth Lodge) in Act 2 Scene 4.

Photo by Angus McBean © RSC Browse and license our images

This photo also shows Isabella and Angelo in Act 2 Scene 4, from the 1950 version directed and designed by Peter Brook.

Angelo was played by John Gielgud and Isabella by Barbara Jefford.

Photo by Angus McBean © RSC Browse and license our images

Anthony Quayle directed this version of the play for the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1956.

This picture shows Barnadine (Clive Revill, lying down) refusing to die in Act 4 Scene 3. Pompey (Patrick Wymark) and Abhorson (Ron Haddrick) stand over him.

The production also saw Prunella Scales performing as Juliet.

Photo by Angus McBean © RSC Browse and license our images

This picture shows Pompey (played by John Kane) standing on a table surrounded by other prisoners in Act 1 Scene 2.

The production was performed in 1970, directed by John Barton and designed by Timothy O'Brien.

Ben Kingsley also performed in this play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, appearing in the role of Claudio.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

In this image from Act 2 Scene 2, we see Angelo (Michael Pennington) succumbing to the charms of Isabella (Francesca Annis) as she pleads for her brother's life.

This 1974 production was directed by Keith Hack and designed by Maria Bjornson.

In 1978, Barry Kyle directed a production of Measure for Measure, designed by Christopher Morley.

The photograph is a shot from Act 1 Scene 2 where Lucio (John Nettles, right) watches as Claudio (Allan Hendrick) is carted off to jail.

This production also featured Jonathan Pryce as Angelo, as well as Juliet Stevenson and Ruby Wax. Stevenson would return to the play in 1983 to perform as Isabella.

This picture is from the 1999 Michael Boyd production, played at the Barbican in London. It shows Duke Vincentio (played by Robert Glenister) holding a gun to the neck of Angelo (Stephen Boxer).

This performance played in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2003, with Emma Fielding as Isabella and Daniel Evans as Angelo.

The production was directed by Sean Holmes and designed by Anthony Lamble.

Launch Gallery

Past productions

In This Section

Measure for Measure timeline

Gregory Doran 2019 production

In focus: Barry Kyle 1978

In focus: Adrian Noble 1983

In focus: Sean Holmes 2003

Roxana Silbert 2011 Production

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