What the Characters Said: The Texts of Barton, Davis and Kyle

Abstract

Because of its relative unpopularity before this century, Measure for Measure has not been regarded as fruitful material for the adapter. An imaginative Actors’ Touring Company production in 1980 directed by John Retallack introduced some topical gagging on the ‘law and order’ theme and, as noted in the last section, in 1972 Howard Brenton wrote a highly politicised version of the play. But in general the major changes have been made through cutting and the occasional rearrangement of speeches and scenes. Three of the most common areas for this sort of attention are the opening of i ii, the long central prison scenes, and the explanations of the finale. Peter Brook made cuts in all three areas, in order, it was felt, to remove anything which would take away from the authority of his Duke.