Bard on the Beach adds “Measure for Measure” to its lineup—with a modern “Footloose” twist

by Vicki Duong on June 25th, 2024 at 11:43 AM

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Bard on the Beach has announced the addition of another show to its summer 2024 lineup.

Measure for Measure is a a lesser-known work of Shakespeare set in Vienna. The original story focuses on a city of Puritan and totalitarian rule—but director Jivesh Parasram has breathed new life into the play with an approach inspired by an unlikely source: Footloose.

The cheeky update sees the story centred around the fact that premarital dancing is outlawed, and is modernized with DJs who spin tunes in secret.

“Bringing new visions to the works of Shakespeare is always a challenge, and when we were approached by Jivesh to create a Footloose-inspired take on Measure for Measure we said yes,” shares Christopher Gaze, Bard on the Beach Artistic Director in a statement “At Bard on the Beach we have a history of adapting Shakespeare’s work and putting a contemporary spin on it. This production of Measure for Measure will be no different, and we are certain audiences are going to love this new retelling of this Shakespeare classic.”