Measure For Measure contains depictions of sexual assault and may not be suitable for all audiences. Vienna is beset with brothels and loose morality, and it’s up to the Duke to provide some divine intervention. Shakespeare’s comedy centers around the fate of Claudio, who is arrested by Lord Angelo, the temporary leader of Vienna. Angelo lusts after Claudio’s sister, Isabella, an aspiring nun, and gives her an ultimatum: give up her chastity or her brother dies. Her decision ignites an exploration of agency, abuse of power, and the intersection of virtue and sin in one of Shakespeare’s great plays.

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Rebecca Blum

Costumes designed by Kahei “Ketti” Shum through the Wake County Visiting Artist Program.

Jan 13th | Post-Show Discussion

Following the 3:00P performance, Artistic Director Patrick Torres will be joined by Catherine Lawson and Rebecca Blum to talk about the concept of the show. Catherine is an attorney with the Raleigh office of Parker Poe. In 2017 she started the #MeAt14 hashtag to advocate against the sexual exploitation of minors. Rebecca Blum, the director of the show, will also talk about her concept for the show and its impact on young women.

Catherine Lawson

Podcast | Featuring Rebecca Blum & Sara Thompson

Director Rebecca Blum talks about her vision for the production and her personal connection to the play. Dramaturge, Sara Thompson, gives insight into the historical context of the play and why it is called a “problem play”.

Listen: Anchor

Rebecca Blum

Reviews

“The audience is positioned on the sidelines, akin to a sporting event, a subtle and effective reminder that the audience is a mere spectator watching strategies being played out on stage.” – RDU On Stage

“When Isabella threatens to reveal Angelo’s ultimatum, he asks her “Who will believe thee?” and one cannot help but see the correlation to the recent #metoo movement, in which women have shared stories of sexual coercion and sexual assault by men in positions of power.” – Talkin’ Broadway

“Thankfully Raleigh Little Theatre enlisted the support of Cara Rawlings, a certified Intimacy and Movement Choreographer, to ensure the safety of all the actors.” – BroadwayWorld

“Other presentations of this particular play, including those done by professional houses, have not done as well as this production in clearly presenting the story in a way the audience can follow and comprehend. For this ability alone, this cast, crew, and director all get very high marks.” – CVNC

Raleigh Little Theatre is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. www.NCArts.org