Metra Theatre - Measure For Measure

Nine graduating students, fresh from London Metropolitan University were chosen to perform William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure at the International Shakespeare festival in Gdańsk, Poland as part of the education program. the performance was directed by lecturers Gian Carlo Rossi and Lucy Richardson with vocal coach Jacek Ludwig Scarso. As was to become a staple factor in Metra's work, the development of the production drew heavily from the ideas of philosopher Gilles Deleuze. Deleuze refers to ideas as being rhizome, meaning a thick underground stem or root system. It stretches out, reaching into all dimensions, rebelling against its own foundations and outgrowing beginnings and endings.

Though the production was a modern reworking, it used Shakespeare’s original language and attempted to present it in a way that resonates today, not by replacing and resetting it in a parallel era or context, but by drawing on many different ideas, concepts, styles, techniques and quirks, and bring them together to form a unique, explorative and un-unified piece of theatre. Metra Theatre later described it as tackling Measure for Measure ‘with feminist foresight, socio-religious thinking and a bit of jive to boot’.

In early 2006, Metra Theatre showcased a new version of the performance - including an Aerial Dance performed by the new addition to the company Francesca Hyde - at The Lion and Unicorn pub theatre in Kentish Town, London. The production was popular and received a glowing review from Wendy Attwell (of The Shakespeare Revue ). The response to this production contributed heavily to Metra's passion in making theatre more accessible, and drawing in new audiences who wouldn't necessarily go to see a classical play for fear of 'not getting it'.

Simon McPhillips with Lucky Strike Productions and Press On Features went on to use an adapted version of the script in a film version of play. The film was set in a modern day army base, with Josephine Rogers continuing on with her role as Isabella.