Mark Rylance touched my shoulder.
I saw the Globe's production of Measure for Measure yesterday in Pittsburgh. It was amazing. It was one of those productions that reminded me why I am doing this (graduate school, theatre). It was brilliant. Measure for Measure is not an easy to do. Isabella has lines that say More than our brother is our chastity, so Isabella live chaste and brother die. That's a little drastic, particularly in the 21st century.
WARNING: Next 3 paragraphs will only be interesting to those familiar with the play.
Edward Hogg was really good as Isabella. He didn't break down until the Duke told him that Claudio was still beheaded (even after the night swap). It was so perfect. Christina and I were both wondering why he didn't break down in the second half. But if you think about it, it totally makes sense. Things had to happen so fast that there was no time to feel. She had to keep figuring out what was the next action, then when the Duke tells her that despite all of the planning and everything they did, Angelo still killed him, she finally has time to feel and she breaks down.
Mark Rylance brought his stuttering style to the Duke and again, brilliant. The inciting action is him handing over control to Angelo because he doesn't like the crowds and he's too indecisive to implant the laws of the land. He's not good with people. And also, he really sucks at being a friar. That's left out in most productions.
Another thing I loved about the production was how they made the audience feel like they were in on the action. They put make up and costumes on in front of the audience (I LOVE preshows!). And especially in the last scene, Rylance was talking to the audience like they were city members. Christina even became Lucio's wife.
After the show, I saw Mark Rylance and told him how much I enjoyed the show and thanked him and he touched my shoulder and he was so kind and so humble. I am starstruck.
Sigh.....