Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure From The Porters of Hellsgate
Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center (North Hollywood, CA)
The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Co. present William Shakespeare’s dark comedy that illustrates the old adage that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The Porters set their production of Measure for Measure in the Vienna of the 1890s, a time of great change and social unrest in the city. Duke Vincentio hands the city’s leadership to Angelo, a morally upright deputy who is charged with implementing a new moral code. This experiment proves the inevitable truth that power corrupts, as Angelo succumbs to the temptation to abuse his newfound authority. When a young woman and her brother are put in danger by his lust and arrogance, the old Duke must step back in to set things right. The Porters pull no punches in this hard look at how easily we we can convince ourselves that even our worst actions are justified.
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