Five Reasons To See … Desperate Measures

The Manchester Shakespeare Company’s first production is based on Measure For Measure irreverently adapted by John Topliff and Hannah Ellis and directed by Gina T Frost. TMSC is dedicated to bringing fresh versions of Shakespeare’s work to new audiences.

2. The Play

Desperate Measures is set in the City State of Mancia in the not too distant future. The riot plagued streets are dark and lawless, the jails are full and the Police Force reduced to one lonely Constable. The hapless Mayor, David Vincent, has promised more than he can deliver, so he hatches a plan to let his keen Coalition Deputy, the ambitious Nicky Angelo, take over the reins of power for a while – with disastrous, disturbing and outrageous results for everyone.

3. The Cast

TMSC has managed to obtain some of the finest acting talent in the North West, including John Dayton as Mayor David Vincent, Heather Carroll as his PA Escala Morgan, Alex Miller as the villainous Nicky Angelo, Laura Littlewood as Lawyer Izzy Aguecheek, Adam Vinten as her hapless brother Claude and Lauron Stirrup as the downtrodden Constable Iqbal.

4. The Set

Specially designed for TMSC by Victor Alexander and operated by dedicated team of students, ‘The Rude Mechanicals’, the dynamic, interactive set follows the action from the seat of power in the City Hall, via luxury apartments, to the brothels, bars and jails of Mancia’s lawless streets.

5. The 3MT

The 3MT is the only independent, purpose-built boutique theatre in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Located yards from Piccadilly Gardens on the ground floor of the iconic Afflecks building, it has been the starting point for many new productions. With its Theatre Bar and its unique recycled interior, it is one of Manchester’s hidden cultural gems. A warm welcome awaits.

Desperate Measures produced by The Manchester Shakespeare Company is at The Three Minute Theatre 23 – 26 October.