The Tangled Web

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know” (Macbeth: Act 1, scene 7) Deception and betrayal drive much of Renaissance theatre, from Shakespeare’s cross-dressing comedies to the dark hearted revenge tragedies of Webster, Middleton and Ford. The Tangled Web sets extracts from Julius Caesar, Measure for Measure, Henry IV, Much Ado About Nothing and The Duchess of Malfiin the 21st century Midlands. The texts remain the same but the contexts have been changed to emphasise the contemporary resonances in these universal works. The production’s minimalist design and James Prosser’s visceral score support Level 6 Drama and Acting students in reimagining the brutal, funny and humane theatre of the 17thcentury.