I really liked this RSC production of a tale of the abuse of power. Set in Victorian Vienna, the production set forth clearly the twists and turns of Shakespeare's play. In a nutshell, the Duke of Vienna leaves the City in the care of his Deputy Angelo. The latter immediately imposes a more puritncal regime which catches out Claudio who has engaged in premarital sex with his betrothed, Juliet. For this, he gets a death sentence. To save him, his Sister, Isabella, a novice nun intercedes to plea for clemency. Angelo falls for Isabella and propositions her, essentially offering to spare her brother if she will yield to him. So this is a remarkably contemporary play, getting the audience to ponder on the issues of sexual harassment and the abuse of power.
Angelo is not painted as a man merely wanting a shag. He seems, inappropriately, to have got the hots for Isabella, declaring his instant love for her. So he is played as a rather pathetic old donkey who indulges in a fantasy about this beautiful young woman. What is particularly wrong with it is the abuse of power and this comes across very clearly. As if to emphasis the rights and wrongs, we have the Duke, disguised as a priest, observing all the twists and turns of the play and eventually holding people to account.
All in all, I found it a very satisfying evening and felt moved to look up the more memorable lines afterwards.
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