Review: Measure for Measure at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-on-Avon.

SHOCK and awe came in equal measure in this latest offering from the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Shock, and to some extent awe, as we viewed male nudity - well one man and full frontal, and also witnessed a bloody execution via the guillotine.

And awe at the quality of this version of Shakespeare's tale of a woman 'forced' to surrender her chastity for the life of a condemned man.

Old hat indeed in terms of traditional literature, but brilliantly portrayed - as was the execution scene.

A certain amount of awe too at the set and dress, more akin to Vienna during the late 1930s or early 1940s - full of shady men in trench coats and hats. the Secret Police and barbed wire fencing around the prison.

Stark and brutal at times, both the set and Shakespeare's words, but because of so many excellent performances my mind was quickly eased and certainly nourished.

Catching the eye once again, both with his timing and sense of fun, was Simon Trinder, who played the effervescent Pompey - broad Northern accent and all!

I sense we may see and hear more of this actor.

Full credit too to Daniel Evans, who plays Angelo - left to govern when the Duke takes a sabbatical. while Fergus O'Donnell is a suitably castigated Claudio, condemned to death for failing to obey strict sexual laws, eventually rescued by Isabella (Emma Fielding) who provided everything this part required. AJW

ALAN WALLCROFT