Desperate Measures

Owen Marks (26Nov15): Although I attended this show under protest, having seen too many modern remakes of Shakespeare's plays, with the rewards, in terms of boredom/entertainment ratios, so desperately low as to be bloody, I was taken aback by the all around quality of this show. The remarkable display of talent, coming from a cast of near unknowns, must indicate the abundant, and largely untapped, reservoir of talent available to UK directors and producers. I think one measure of this production's success is that you forget Shakespeare provides its source. Our huge talent show industry serves the useful purpose of ridding stages of the mass of mediocrity, leaving theatre goers with this truly talented cadre. Moreover, we needn't worry about Hollywood poaching our best, it would seem we have more than enough to go around. Awarding five stars too often leaves reviewers with little critical breathing space. Desperate measures deserves 4.5 stars, but that option is not on the menu.