Measure for Measure (The Public Theater)

See it if ... see it if... if... well... umm... I got nothin'.

Don't see it if you have any respect for Shakespeare, The Public, the Elevator Repair Service or your time. [This ill-conceived MforM is a total misfire.]

Also The positive reviews here are inexplicable to me. It is a rare sight to see so many people walk out on a show without an intermission, but so many (lucky) people did so last night. I have appreciated, and often loved, ERS's upending traditional texts and challenging conventional theatrical presentation, but there isn't a redeemable thing (except, perhaps for a couple of admirable performances) to recommend about this over-conceptualized, confusing and often unintelligible production.... Read more Read less

See it if You are very, very familiar with Shakespeare's plot, can tolerate drastically reimagined classics, enjoy what may be creative gimmicks,

Don't see it if You want your Bard done in linear style that doesn't challenge, don't like edited, rethought productions that can be hard to follow

See it if You are a fan of ERS. You want to see the absolute most unusual rendering of this classic Shakesperian play ever ! You are open minded.

Don't see it if You can’t leave Pre-conceived ideas out of your mind. You are uncomfortable if you can’t understand everything you hear !

Also If you have never experienced an ERS production this is probably not the best one with which to do so ! It is I think the most difficult of the 4 I have seen to comprehend. You need to be able to let the experience wash over you and take you along for the ride however bumpy.ERS is known for breaking all the rules and many theatrical conventions and this play does that in spades ! I am in awe of the skill of the acting ensemble all of whom do things with their speech that are almost unbelievable ! I cannot even begin to imagine how John Collins who is the director put this together but he did and I thought it was magical albeit sometimes frustrating to watch !... Read more Read less

See it if You LOVE ERS and all they do. Occassionally funny mixed with a lot of WTF?

Don't see it if you like hearing Shakespeare's words. Brutally fast in some places, excruciatingly slow in others. This was all over the place.

See it if you're ok w/ a single, brilliant, 5-10 min. scene that could forever change your reading of MfM even if the other 120 min. are a slog

Don't see it if you’re new to the play and want to understand Measure for Measure; you want a show that’s entertaining the whole time

Also This production speeds through the boring parts of MfM which, according to this director, are 98% of the play. The show is entirely committed to just one concentrated scene in act 3 that is so fresh & blindingly insightful (and slow) that I don’t mind how unsuccessful the rest of the play is. After that scene the show doesn’t aspire to such heights again. The rest isn't torturous but feels like the cast is phoning it in w/ the speed-talking gimmick.

There are other smart moments & details (the costume choice to dress Isabella in plain clothes and not the traditional nun’s habit makes a great impact), but I have to admit that most of the show is not enjoyable. The zany comedy fell flat. I’m an ERS fan for life but MfM is not representative of how good they really are. I’m glad I went for that one great moment that lives up to their previous productions; but ultimately, I don’t recommend this show to any normal person who doesn’t compulsively collect rare Shakespeare interpretations.... Read more Read less

See it if A beautiful play. Some very nice, touching moments. And shockingly relevant to today.

Don't see it if The director made the weird choice of having the actors speed through much of the script, making it hard to understand.

See it if you like traditional Shakespearean language, mixed era costumes,typical Elevator Repair Service sets. Not as good as TFANA production

Don't see it if are a traditionalist. They work too hard to break it down

See it if you'd like Measure for Measure performed with zany hijinx, rapid-fire delivery, and alternately too-fast and too-slow pacing.

Don't see it if the no-holds barred comic performances of the cast aren't enough to sway you to try out this slapstick version of the play.

See it if Anything in theater is all right? How about a Shakespearean dramedy where several players act & the remainder do shtick? It's wearying &...

Don't see it if cloying. Add the incomprehensible speed at which much dialogue is delivered & you realize why there is no intermission - who would stay?

See it if You are a diehard fan of ERS. Although I am a fan of theirs this interpretation of Measure for Measure was disappointing.

Don't see it if You want a more traditional play without gimmicks and confusion. Also, over two hours without an intermission was very long in this case.

See it if you love Shakespeare in any form and are willing to tolerate an admittedly ambitious but enervating and slow production.

Don't see it if you want something fresh, entertaining, or stimulating. It tries, but ultimately is high energy going nowhere.

See it if You have to see every production of Measure on stage right now, regardless...wait, no you don’t! See Desperate Measures instead!

Don't see it if You love the language of Shakespeare.

Also Elevator Repair Service beyond horrible with Measure for Measure. Slurred words, soft spoken with amped projections. I left after 15 minutes. Two people told me “that’s just the show” in the exact same words. Must have a lot of practice or coaching in saying them. So much for the beauty of Shakespeare’s language...... Read more Read less

See it if You listen to your podcasts on 2.25x playback. The cast speaks in hyperspeed for 70% of the show.

Don't see it if You like Shakespeare.

Also For once, I agree with Ben Brantley basically verbatim. Read the NYT review.... Read more Read less

See it if Helps if you like Shakespeare comedies, helps if you know the text, helps if you like unique interpretations.

Don't see it if You don't know the play (you will miss much of it). You care for the issues (Weinstein anyone?), the emotion, the angst instead of sly jokes

See it if Elevator Repair Service - they of Gatz fame - meets Shakepare tackling judgement morality and justice in a manic but uneven production

Don't see it if You need your Shakespeare pure and don’t like modern updates in style speed costume and staging even with very inventive staging

See it if ERS's ability to find and/or create clever and slapstick humor is unparalleled; company shows its great versatility in multiple roles

Don't see it if Attempt to distill a moderate Shakespeare piece cannot overcome its mediocrity despite the humor and stage creativity

See it if You adore anything by Shakespeare and can sit for over 2 hours with no break.

Don't see it if You only like traditional formats of Shakespeare plays. This was a fast paced comic rendition of this playwhich sadly missed the mark.

See it if you love avant garde-ish theater. The text rules all here, and some of the performances are notable

Don't see it if you are not familiar with the plot or are not particularly quick at picking up plots (this one runs fast and free)

See it if you enjoy seeing unusual directorial "concepts" of Shakespeare plays, even if they are not always successful.

Don't see it if you love Shakespeare and think that his plays can be done in many ways but should always respect the integrity of the text.

Also One of the central concepts of this interpretation seems to be that the lines will be more meaningful if they are said so fast that no one can understand them.... Read more Read less

See it if you have the patience not to be thrown by a very eccentric production. There's terrific acting & some profound & funny moments buried here.

Don't see it if untraditional treatment of Shakespeare bothers you. Much of the slapstick is pointless & the production is disjointed & often irrational.

See it if you enjoy the quirky avant-garde work from ERS and dont mind teleprompter for Shakespeare

Don't see it if you prefer a traditional Shakespearean staging

See it if you want to see Mr. Shepherd do a bang up job as the Duke. See it if you want a condensed version of the play.

Don't see it if you have trouble hearing when actors are speaking at a rapid pace. Don't see it if you are expecting true Shakespeare.

Also If you are not familiar with the play, first see "Desperate Measures" at the York Theater. Then see this production of "Measure for Measure." By seeing the former, you will enjoy the later. Stay with the show. It takes a bit to get used to the rapid dialogue.... Read more Read less

See it if you have a grasp of Measureand can follow actors changing characters quickly. It was fast paced and I found myself referring to the plot.

Don't see it if You can't sit through a two+hour show with no intermission

See it if experimental version of shakespeare play. slow at times. Two hours no intermission, great theater group with great talent. funny at times

Don't see it if if you are are tired of measure for measure or do not like video screen words and experimental theater

See it if Enjoy a fun, intelligent interpretation of a rarely seen Shakespeare play.

Don't see it if You want a traditional 'reading' of Shakespeare.

Also I am not sure why all the negative reviews. My husband, daughter and myself were totally engaged and delighted for the entire two hours. You need to 'check your expectations' at the door. This is supposed to be a fun, imaginative interpretation . Enjoy yourself!... Read more Read less