"Measure for measure", harmony or disharmony?

“Measure for Measure” - Shakespeare is little known to the audience. This play by the great playwright is hardly ever put on the stage. During the author’s lifetime it was staged only once. But even in all the time since his death, directors have not been very fond of it.

At the Vakhtangov Theater, the play was staged by Yuri Butusov. It was no coincidence that the director chose the little-known brainchild of one of the most influential playwrights to this day.

In Butusov’s productions even the most banal material takes on a completely different texture, unfamiliar even to those who often attend performances in Moscow . In his work with the play “Measure for Measure” the director has completely changed the very concept of the play. Shakespeare wrote a comedy in which, after all the vicissitudes, everything ends amicably and in the finale four weddings are played! In Butusov’s reading, the comedy becomes more of a tragedy. And he simply removed the Shakespearean ending. There is no final destination for the characters. Each has only his own measure, unrecognized by him and probably the question is left open - as long as you are alive, the way to God is never closed, and only death closes the accounts, after which it remains only to pay them…

The play “Measure for Measure” is about human sins, about the biblical eternal truth “Do not judge and you will not be judged”, which everyone knows and no one adheres to. So the characters of the play, by an invisible chain, pass, as a relay race, sinfulness from one who sinned to another who judged, who, as a punishment for it, also falls into temptation and, not being able to resist it, also sins…. Although, speaking of sins: condemnation of man by man, if it is not in court and not for a crime, but for sins, is the highest of sins, because only the creator can judge his creations, and condemnation of his own kind is an infringement on the mission of the creator!

The action takes place in the Kingdom of Hungary. Tired of the sinfulness of human nature, the Duke abandons the throne for a time and entrusts it to Angelo, with full power, unrestricted by anyone and nothing but the Duke’s own control. Disguised as a monk, he controls Angelo unnoticed by him.

Having gained power over the people, Angelo hastily begins to educate them, using extreme, supreme measures, namely execution. The first thing he does is to send them to execution

Claudio for breaking the commandment about premarital sex. (And in the Old Testament, stoning to death is prescribed for that!) Claudio’s beloved Juliet is expecting a child. He’s ready to marry her, but Claudio is adamant. He proposes to do the same to himself, that is, to execute him if he, Claudio, violates this law!… And so it worked!…

Claudio’s sister Isabella intends to enter a convent and devote herself to her faith. She comes to Angelo to plead for her brother, but the latter, possessed by her, is tempted to possess her body. He offers her a bargain - her brother’s life in exchange for her innocence….. Further, seemingly repentant of his past sins, Isabella’s brother Claudio, after much torment, unable to fight the fear of death, asks his sister to grant Angelo’s request….

The Duke, as the initial link in the chain of temptation, as having subjected Angelo to the temptation of power, just short-circuits this chain by returning to the throne and breaking all the links in the chain. He himself administers the justice given to him by power, and intends to marry Isabella, who has made a vow of celibacy to God!..! (Who are the judges?”

One artist - Sergei Epishev - changing costumes plays both Angelo (in white) and the Duke (in black). Isabella - Eugenia Kregge. Scenography - cafe - tables lit by lanterns. And garbage flying from everywhere…..

The world is imperfect!

Elenapisatel