Preview of „Measure for Measure”
William Shakespeare’s „Measure for Measure” directed by Paweł Szkotak was premiered on 16 April on our Small Stage. It was specially produced for the 22nd edition of International Festival of Plays Pleasant and Unpleasant.
„Measure for Measure” is a story about power and its corrupting character. The Duke Vincentio, being concerned about the moral collapse of his subjects, gives power to the Deputy Angelo. Meanwhile, in disguise, he observes course of events. Szkotak, who has received many awards for Shakespeare’s productions, sets the play in a prison where a behavioural experiment (based on Dr Zimbardo’s experiences) is held. The participants of the experiment are both victims and torturers…
There was a meeting with the spectacle’s creators after the show. The meeting was moderated by Łukasz Drewniak. The director emphasized that the play produced in Powszechny Theatre is not a temporary political commentary. It is rather an analysis of timeless structures of mechanisms of power and enforcing justice. He said that it would be a mistake to understand Shakespeare only as a temporary commentator because the power of his dramas is in their universality and not in a temporary topicality. Set designer Agata Skwarczyńska told how she built the stage space and explained that she had wanted it not only to be a background of the play but to determine the plot as well. The actors told about rehearsals when the play’s characters were built – the prisoners who perform the Shakespeare’s drama.
Thank you for your presence and we invite you to next festival’s shows!
William Shakespeare„Measure for Measure”Translation: Maciej Słomczyński„Sonnets” by William Shakespeare translated by Stanislaw BarańczakDirector: Paweł SzkotakSet design: Agata SkwarczyńskaMusic: Krzysztof NowikowVideo: Kuba Zubrzycki (with the participation of Magdalena Dębicka)Cast: Jarosław Dziedzic, Jakub Firewicz, Małgorzata Goździk, Miłosz Karbownik, Michał Lacheta, Piotr Łukaszczyk, Mateusz Olszewski, Jędrzej Wielecki
