Review of Measure for Measure (1979) by Cameron H — 26 Dec 2008

Definitely one of the stronger BBC productions. Kenneth Colley is excellent as Vincentio, and Shakespeare's strong women are done great justice here, particularly in the case of Kate Nelligan as Isabella.

Shakespeare's women are astonishing, one play after another. I wonder if he ever was frustrated by the fact that only men -- not even men -- boys were required to play all the female parts in his day.

I mean, you're depending on adolescent boys to pull off the likes of Juliet, or Ophelia, or Lady Macbeth, or Isabella in this play. I bet you're praying for male child prodigy actors with some heavily mature talent to come along at every turn.

I can't but believe, that in his heart, Shakespeare must have longed for allowance to employ talented female actors to perform his choicest female leads.