@Old Blue Last/The Rose Theatre, Bankside 2009

Shakespeare’s dark comedy explored corruption in high places, abuse of authority, legalism, hypocrisy, love and loyalty and incorporated intense relationship struggles, trickery and situational comedy; human nature is revealed as its weakest and strongest.   The action of this play moves between the brothel, the prison, the church and the corridors of power in a fictional authoritarian state; posing spiritual and moral dilemmas for its audience in Shakespeare’s day and now.

“The play was probably first performed at the Globe Theatre on Bankside, near the brothels or ‘stews’, so that the original audiences could have had personal experience of seeing ‘corruption boil and bubble’ on their way to and from the theatre" (The New Cambridge Shakespeare).

It was performed again by the Shakespeare in Shoreditch Ensemble  Upstairs at the Old Blue Last and at the Rose Theatre, Bankside (the site owned by the Globe Theatre) Jan/Feb 2009.  

Cast: Jennie Fox, Stuart Sessions, Matthew Wade, Alexander Gordon Wood, Jamie Champion, Jamila Jennings Grant, Stewart Bewley, Darrie Gardner, Richard de Lisle, Liam Reill, Jennifer Shakesby, Stephen Haynes, Katy Andrew.

Creative Team: Darrie Gardner (Script adaptation/Direction), Ian Griffiths/Paul Thomas (Technical Management), Elizabeth Rose (Props).  See reviews here