Measure for Measure

As usual with our hosts, imagination had come into play even with the organisation of the seating in St John’s Hall this evening. We found ourselves – the audience – looking at each other, our chairs organised to make the opposite sides of the rectangle, with the acting spaces both left, right, centre and elevated on the stage. This was to work really well but for the lights that illuminated the central action. Sadly, they were distracting and uncomfortable because occasionally they shone directly into the audience’s eyes. Similarly, a centrally positioned light behind a linen curtain worked very well, dramatically, when it delivered effective silhouettes, but was a distraction when visible as a light source. However, although inconvenient, it didn’t detract too much from the excellent entertainment of the evening. 

Mike Hanks-Rivett – Duke: Convincing as the absentee politician – with class. Solomon Mousley – Angelo: the protagonist, was so very convincing as the seemingly dedicated servant to the Duke - kind, handsome and intelligent. That is until his ambitious dastardly plan of seduction was revealed. So well-cast - you had me in your pocket! Tessa Taylor: Sincere, articulate and you paced every step beautifully. Your Escalus was smart, sincere and believable. Hannah Etheridge as Isabella: you were stunning, convincing. Seretta Wilson as Mistress Overdon; Ismay Davis as Pompey; Liberty Lines as Cladio; Claire Madden as Lucio; Isabella Smith as Elbow/Juliet; Maisie Durnan as Mariana; Tasheena Livingston – Abhorson; and Anais Stein as Froth: were a great team of excellent players. The ‘rabble choir’ in the final stages was very convincing.

As always, without the ‘Creatives’ and ‘Crew’ these entertainments would not come to fruition. So congratulations to Ned Welch and Cal Harbottle and your team for a great evening’s entertainment. It was evident that you all thoroughly enjoyed what you were doing, and your enthusiasm was infectious.

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