Stage Review Measure For Measure the RSC 2025/26

Actors Tom Mothersdale (Angelo) Adam James (Duke Vincentio) and Sion Pritchard (Escalus) Measure For Measure at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon. Photograph by Helen Murray

Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Measure For Measure

by William Shakespeare

Directed by Emily Burns

Overview

Duke Vincentio decides to dodge the heat of having to deal with a breaking news scandal and so appoints, Angelo in a deputy role and makes himself scarce. However, he seeks out Friar Peter and tells him of his intention to pose as a Friar so that he can keep a close eye on Angelo in the governing role.

Angelo’s first duty is to prosecute Claudio for impregnating Juliet out of wedlock and is quick to place an execution order on him.

Lucio makes a mercy dash to his friend, Claudio’s sister, Isabella, who is soon to be enrolled in religious sisterhood. He informs her of Claudio’s plight and pleads for her to meet with Angelo and to try and change his mind. 

Angelo views the virtuous Isabella in sexual ways, and so, using his position of power selfishly and immorally, Angelo tells Isabella that he will reverse his decision but on one condition only; that she sleeps with him.

Isis Hainsworth (Isabella) and Oli Higginson (Claudio) Measure for Measure RSC 2025/26. Photograph Helen Murray

Isabella conditioned to preserve her maidenhood is distraught by the dilemma which she faces goes to visit Claudio in prison, but he passionately argues that nothing can compare with death and being dead. 

The Duke, still disguised as the Friar overhears the emotionally charged meeting between the siblings. He devises playing a trick on Angelo which involves his recently intended (and recently scorned), Mariana.

‘the trick’ - ‘the switch’ made on Angelo during the carnal act is unbeknown to him, even so, the despicable nature of the man is revealed when he goes back on his word in regard to Claudio.

The Duke returns as himself and takes back control, he being the only person aware of the reality of things, so, during his summation: a marriage proposal is made, a hasty marriage takes place and an unwanted marriage happens. Two disguises are revealed, a dirty deed goes largely unpunished while an unfair punishment is made, all leads to an ending that is intentionally open to interpretation.

Comment

Emily Burns directs the Royal Shakespeare Company latest embodiment of Shakespeare’s most forthright and earthy play Measure For Measure. A play so ahead of the curve in terms of signalling the hypocrisies of people in power. 

Burns pays special attention to the form and language but chooses contemporary life to set it, opening with screening real news footage which shows: a US president in a compromising situation; another lying about a sexual indiscretion; a British royal member squirming under scrutiny; the scandalous actions of a hypocritical MP and the revealing of the unfiltered behaviour of a TV celebrity. The play’s topics personified from the very beginning.

Tom Mothersdale (Angelo) Measure For Measure The Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Photograph Helen Murray

Adam James plays Duke Vincentio with glorious assumption and is a perfect fit for the character, arguably a main character and most definitely the key character. Tom Mothersdale (Angelo) is a true snake of a villain in a suit, Sion Pritchard (Escalus), Douggie McMeekin (Lucio) along with Valentine Hanson (Friar Peter) manage the dramatic irony elements of the play marvellously.  

An RSC debut for Isis Hainsworth playing Isabella, we should be interested in seeing her in future productions with the company. 

Emily Benjamin as Mariana (forefront) Measure For Measure The RSC 2025/26. Photograph Helen Murray

And a return for Emily Benjamin (Mariana) who, alongside, or, (in the pants of) Mothersdale should we say, sees these two actors placed in a somewhat undignified, challenging scene where the verb ‘to perform’ brings on a whole new meaning. The audience sits slightly terrified of seeing a slice of something they’d not seen on stage before, while equally hoping there’s enough shock value to create the necessary buzz around the story highlight; this scene is provocative enough, while, on the other hand, is quite enough, before the lights are cut. 

There’s much that hits home but also much which pleases, excites and entertains.

Measure For Measure is at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 25 October 2025.

ENDS

Measure For Measure RSC Review by Theatre Critic, Debra Hall who attended the 1.15pm performance at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon on Wednesday 01 October 2025

References

Asker, D. Production Photographs The Royal Shakespeare Company 02 October 2025

RSC Printed Programme Measure For Measure