Unsanctioned/Measure 2 Measure

Unsanctioned is set in a world ravaged by climate change, in which all pregnancies and births must be state-sanctioned. When a strange young woman turns up at the remote home of a reservoir keeper and his wife, they make a shocking trade with her. She in turn makes a deal that will have a devastating impact on them. This is an intimately scaled and female-centric tale of infiltration and betrayal. Measure 2 Measure is a stripped down, one-act adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, with a cast of 5 characters instead of the usual 13. This version focuses on the #MeToo-like theme of Angelo’s attempted seduction of Isabella, without the usual pantomime elements or get-out clauses, and looks anew at the choices people make.

Together, the two plays explore themes that are hugely relevant today, including climate change, and the abuse of power (both personal and political). The scripts are being finalised through the rehearsal process, for what will be premieres of both productions.

Studio