Reader Reviews
Measure for Measure (Almeida Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Dreadful. The acting, script and direction were all dire - the only thing to be said for it was the set! What on earth were the Almeida doing putting this on in the first place? Staggeringly over acted to the point of becoming a macabre pantomime. Surely black actors deserve to be given better material, which does not patronise or pigeon hole them, than this. And one other thing what was it with the clunky accents? It was an African 'ello 'ello. The incredibly slow response to applaud at the close of the first act tonight was a clear sign of what the audience thought of it. - rds | 21 May 10 |
| Sometimes directors try too hard and in this Measure For Measure, one of Shakespeare's more difficult plays, that certainly seems to be the case. I wasn't convinced by Rory Kinnear's twitchy Angelo, or Anna Maxwell-Martin's other-worldly Isabella. It was as if a selection of emotions had been put into the hat for the cast to take their pick from and what ever came out they played it that way. This production has received rave reviews and it is hard to make a stand, but I think it suffers from too much internalising for its own good. Brave attempt though it was it is of no matter as there will always be a next time with Shakespeare. - rds | 11 Apr 10 |
| The last Shakespeare at the Almeida was a dreadful 'Designer Macbeth' which was the only occasion I've ever seen the talents of Simon Russell Beale wasted. Fortunately, this is a fine interpretation of a very difficult 'morality' play. The modern setting works really well, as the themes, including the abuse of power, are just as relevant today. Rory Kinnear and Anna Maxwell-Martin are both hugely impressive, and there's an excellent Lucio from Lloyd Hutchinson. I was less convinced by Ben Miles' Duke - he seemed distracted, resulting in somewhat idiosyncratic verse speaking - though he did improve as the play went on. Les Brotherston's set allows the action to move swiftly between office, street, prison etc. and Michael Attenborough handles the ambiguity of the ending brilliantly. Loved it! - Gareth James | 18 Mar 10 |
| The last Measure for Measure I saw was the Complicite production at the National. This is a much more straightforward version and often much more effective for that. Although there is much less sense of decadence and debauchery the focus on the three main characters is much more intense. Ben Miles is a fine Duke, Anna Maxwell Martin is a fiesty Isabella and Rory Kinnear justifies his reputation as the finest actor of his generation. He plays Angelo as a minor civil servant, promoted beyond his abilities and utterly confused by his response to power and his feelings for Isabella. Unfortunately Angelo is barely in Act 2 and Michael Attenborough has contrived an unsatisfactory ending. Kinnear is oddly accepting and unresponsive to his fate and the volte face of te Duke is severely understated as is Isabella's compliance or rejection of her future. It's a pity as otherwise this is a well presented and mostly very well acted Measure. - David Baxter | 17 Mar 10 |
| Theatre is great, provoking such differing responses. I was hugely dissapointed by this production; unconvinced about the Duke and why he should leave his land, unconvinced by Angelo and his desire for Isabella. There was this skitish desire but it didn't convince, nor did Isabella who seemed so unmoved by the brothers impending death. Surely she would show some emotion, even if sticking to her principals? As for Claudio, he seemed totally unconcerned about being sent to prison then sentenced to death. Only when he was about to die did we see any emotion. The characters didn't connect, the performances didn't convince. Very dissapointing. - Paul Wallis | 06 Mar 10 |
| Quite the best MforM that I have ever witnessed... - Ian | 02 Mar 10 |
| Some good bits some bad bits. I know this play very well and some directorial choices left me confused. Isabella- dour indeed, uncaring and cold in fact. To me it seems like she has no love for claudio (played in a one note fashion) which completely negates one of the plays main narratives. I didnt like her portrayal at all. I love kinnear but i think he is just too good at comedy to play serious roles (Man of Mode-amazing, Revengers Tradgedy- poor). I think he did pick out some new details in the text as did a couple of the others (Lucio in particular) but the production on the whole was un-illuminating and quite forgettable. I hoped for better. - PG | 02 Mar 10 |
| I'm no expert at theatre but I know what I like! We went to see this last night and I thought it was absolutely stunning. Anna Maxwell Martin particularly in the first half. The energy in the lead performances was terrific. The staging was particularly clever. Certainly one of my top 3 viewings in the last few years. Highly recommended, you are unlikely to be disappointed. - Aitch | 20 Feb 10 |
| It“s a brilliant cast relishing in Shakespeare“s verse. In the first preview, Ben Miles needed the very first scene to find the rythm but then turned it into a breathtaking performance of manipulating and controlling the players in "his game". While Rory Kinnear was the harmless and charming Angelo - somehow trapped in his beliefs - who couldn“t change his mind was likewise a pure delight and the fragile looking Anna Maxwell Martin proved a strong and superb counterpart to Angelo“s and Duke“s advances. This production allows serious doubts of the Duke“s good intentions and the expected happy ending. - Elisabeth | 19 Feb 10 |
