Measure for Measure
Presented by Theatre @ York

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall (II.i)

TORONTO, March 6, 2000 -- Theatre @ York closes its 1999/2000 season with Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare, directed by Michael Shamata, opening on March 21 at Burton Auditorium, York University.

Set in a sterile modern-day Vienna, this production explores the definition of justice and the application of mercy. We can accept the idea of mercy for the obviously deserving, but are put to the test when forgiveness is sought for the seemingly undeserving. Repressed sexual tensions simmer throughout the play, threatening to disrupt the monochromatic world. As always with the Bard, the issues are as challenging today as when the play was written in 1604.

The Duke of Vienna states his intentions to travel and to relinquish his duties to his deputy Angelo. Actually the duke plans to take on the disguise of a friar and witness how Angelo handles his position of power. In a take-charge move Angelo decides to reinstate the old laws on fornication and selects Claudio whose guilt can not be denied with his pregnant fiancÈe. Claudio's sister, Isabella, a novice nun, entreats Angelo to rescind the death sentence meted out to Claudio. The duplicitous Angelo demands Isabella's virtue for her brother's life. The duke devises a scheme to rescue both the brother and sister and to expose his deputy's hypocrisy.

In his interpretation of this thought-provoking drama, director Michael Shamata is focusing on the sterility and detachment of bureaucracies such as the prison, the monastery and the duke's office. "My slant is a journey towards fully integrating our sexuality with the rest of our lives - not treating our spirituality and sexual life as two separate parts of us," says Shamata. "It's a very interior kind of play."

Michael Shamata has been Artistic Director of Theatre New Brunswick and most recently, The Grand Theatre in London. Ont. Among his extensive directional credits are several Shakespearean plays including The Winter's Tale for Theatre New Brunswick and this summer's acclaimed production of Loves' Labour Lost for Oakville Theatre's Festival of Classics. His production of A Little Night Music for Canadian Stage Theatre won three Dora Awards including Outstanding Production of a Musical in 1996.

Shamata directs students from the fourth year and graduate acting ensembles in York University's Department of Theatre . Sets and props are by Ted Rouse, costumes by Katherine Lofquist and lighting by Laurie Willemsen.

Measure for Measure previews Sun. Mar. 19 and Mon. 20, opens Tue. Mar 21 and runs nightly to Sat. Mar. 25 in Burton Auditorium at York University, 4700 Keele St. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. with matinees Wed. Mar. 22 and Fri. Mar. 24 at 1 p.m. Admission is $10, students/seniors $7, group rate $5. Previews are PWYC on Mar. 19 and $4 on Mar. 20. For Box Office and information, phone 736-5172 ext. 3.

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For further information, please contact:

Carol Bishop
Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 20421
email: cbishop@yorku.ca