This year we are pleased to be supporting Fortune's Fool Productions' Summer Shakespeare at Irish Monuments (formerly Shakespeare in the Iveagh Gardens), a series of free, Shakespeare productions performed exclusively at Ireland's National Heritage Sites. This year the play will be Measure for Measure - Ireland 1916.
The Play
Measure for Measure is one of Shakespeare's lesser known masterpieces. Originally set in Vienna before its war with Hungary, Fortune's Fool is setting the play in Dublin during the revolutionary years starting in 1916. The production is not a commemoration of The Rising but rather a look at the social, political, economic and sexual forces at play behind the scenes of the Irish Revolution.
In the play, Duke Vincentio, leaves the city transferring his political authority to Angelo, who is a strict moralist and who determines to enforce the city's long lapsed morality laws. Angelo's first order of business is to condemn the soldier, Claudio, to death for impregnating Juliet out of wedlock. While in prison awaiting death, Claudio sends his sister, Isabella, who is about to take her vows and join the nunnery, to plead with Angelo for Claudio's life. Angelo is unmoved by Isabella's pleas but finds himself infatuated with her and tries to manipulate her to give up her virginity to him in order to save Claudio. With the help of Duke Vincentio, who has remained in the city disguised as a priest, Isabella determines to save herself and her brother.
*While there is plenty of comedy in Measure for Measure, there are dark overtones in this story, and it may not be suitable for very young audiences.
Performance locations & times:
- Athenry Castle, Galway, 23 & 24 July, 3pm
- The Casino at Marino, Dublin, 27 July, 6pm
- Castletown House, Celbridge, 29 July, 7pm
- Dublin Castle, Dublin City Centre, 4 - 14 August. Week nights 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 @ 7pm; Weekends 6, 7, 13 & 14 @ 3pm
Audience Information
- FREE to the public.
- Seating is picnic style so bring a blanket or tarpaulin (chairs are not provided).
- You do not need tickets or reservations.
- Seating is general admission. Seating begins 30 minutes before show times.
Join the conversation using the hashtags #shakespearelives and #M4M1916.
ABOUT FORTUNE'S FOOL PRODUCTIONS
Fortune’s Fool Productions is an innovative, playful, socially conscious theatre company committed to producing entertaining & critically acclaimed productions of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, which are free to the public in parks and Irish Heritage Sites across Ireland as Summer Shakespeare at Irish Monuments. Run by international director, Stephanie Courtney, Ireland’s Summer Shakespeare at Irish Monuments is modelled after the world famous New York Shakespeare in the Park.
Fortune's Fool Productions is committed to bringing new theatrical techniques and approaches to theatre in Ireland. These approaches not only contribute to the success and acclaim of our shows, they expand the work of actors in our productions and contribute to the talent pool in Ireland.
As a free event, our shows appeal to everyone—especially non-Shakespeare, non-theatre lovers - of all ages, educational and social backgrounds. We also attract avid Shakespeare lovers and connoisseurs of great theatre.