Measure for Measure, Shakespeare's Globe ****

Dromgoole's tenure at the Globe is drawing to a close and he is bowing down from the outdoor space with his last directorial role in a comedy- laden production of Measure for Measure. Dromgoole's typical atmosphere- setting, pre show fun is similar in ways to the Merchant of Venice but not as elegant. The costume's are not as refined and the provocative scenes are slightly more provocative.Throughout the first half of the play, similar scenes take place to light up the less dramatic scenes in way that the phrase 'stinky wife' still brings a smirk to my face. The nudity warned about before entering the theatre isn't as overt and complete as Sam Cox's scene in Gabriel, with no 'frontage' being shown. It also isn't Cox's tapster Pompey that is nude rather Denis Herdman that shows a bit of cheek. It is fair to say that this is a wildly different production than Cheek by Jowl's touring version that visited the Barbican this year. It is wildly comic which means that the drama suffers slightly as a result. That being said, there was one scene between Angelo and Isabella thathad my hairs on end with the emotion on show. Mariah Gale is a satisfying, if not memorable Isabella who plays distressed very well and ticks the boxes well. Dominic Rowan goes from being a drunkard at the Vic to a Duke and monk at the Globe with a fine turn as Vincentio, who is both funny and commanding at the same time. However Kurt Egyiawan is the stand out performance of the evening. His upright and proper Angelo is conflicted, sinister and at times scary. It is exceptional to see. The ensemble cast is also entertaining and fun to spend the evening with. Whilst I would have preferred this play to be played more seriously, the Globe has done a very impressive job at bringing comedy to the forefront of the play whilst still maintaining the more serious elements of this entertaining night out.