Well it's time I started catching up on trips I haven't documented. Since travel is nixed for 2020 it will give me a chance to relive past experiences.
Last summer on my trek though England I spent a weekend in Stratford Upon Avon. One of my goals was to see a Shakespearean play in the birthplace of Shakespeare. Before I left the USA I made a reservation to see Measure for Measure at the Royal Shakespeare Company. This is a play I had not heard of before so I did not know what to expect.
"Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 where it was listed as a comedy, the play's first recorded performance occurred in 1604. The play's main themes include justice, "morality and mercy in Vienna", and the dichotomy between corruption and purity: "some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall". Mercy and virtue prevail, as the play does not end tragically, with virtues such as compassion and forgiveness being exercised at the end of the production. While the play focuses on justice overall, the final scene illustrates that Shakespeare intended for moral justice to temper strict civil justice: a number of the characters receive understanding and leniency, instead of the harsh punishment to which they, according to the law, could have been sentenced.
Measure for Measure is often called one of Shakespeare's problem plays. It continues to be classified as a comedy, however a dark one, though its tone may defy those expectations."
The RSC is located along the Avon in the main park in Stratford. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre opened in 1932 on the site adjacent to the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (opened 19 April 1879), which had been destroyed by fire on 6 March 1926, and whose name it took. The architect was Elisabeth Scott, so the theatre became the first important work erected in Britain from the designs of a woman architect. It was renamed the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 1961, following the establishment of the Royal Shakespeare Company the previous year. It has since then been remodeled which included the creation of a new 1040+ seat, thrust stage auditorium which brings actors and audiences closer together, with the distance of the furthest seat from the stage being reduced from 27 metres (89 ft) to 15 metres (49 ft). They also added an array of new public spaces, including a new Riverside Cafe and Rooftop Restaurant, a 36-metre (118 ft) observation tower with fantastic views.
I purchased my seat in the 3rd row center which was awesome but from looking around it didn't look like there was a bad seat.
The play itself had a great plot and the acting was spectacular. I wanted to especially call out Lucy Phelps for her portrayal of Isabella.
I only have one regret. The theatre has a rooftop restaurant with incredible views of the area along the Avon. I didn't have a reservation so I couldn't eat there. On the bright side, Stratford has hundreds of restaurants within walking distance and I found a nice one to eat dinner before the play.
