January 2013 New Production of Shakespeare’s ‘Measure for Measure’

NUI Galway Drama Students Get in on the Act

Theatrecorp's seventh classic production, William Shakespeare’sMeasure For Measure, will run from 29 January to 2 February in the Black Box Theatre. The play is directed by Max Hafler, a teacher on the Drama programmes at NUI Galway. This play is rarely seen in the West of Ireland and Drama students from the University get to see first-hand behind the scenes of such a production, while some current students and recent graduates have secured performing roles in the production.

The play will be presented in raw ensemble style, which is a style the company embraced in many of its previous productions. Max Hafler, his cast and design team will be utilising a specific acting technique in rehearsal, the Chekhov Technique, to explore and work on the text. Max Hafler, who has trained with the renowned Michael Chekhov Association in the US, has been working with actors extensively in this technique.  

Measure For Measure issupported by NUI Galway and as part of the University’s relationship with the company, Theatrecorp provide several placement opportunities for performers and technical crew from the BA in Drama and Theatre Programme, with NUI Galway students also working on the production. In addition, Measure For Measure is being taught to second-year English students, providing an invaluable teaching resource for the University, with a post-show talk on the production.

Dr Patrick Lonergan, Head of Drama Programmes at NUI Galway, said: “Max Hafler is a long-serving teacher on our Drama programmes here at NUI Galway, and has done a huge amount to prepare the next generation of Galway actors, directors, and theatre audiences. For that reason, we are particularly delighted to be able to support this production, which will greatly aid our students' appreciation of one of Shakespeare's most challenging plays. This TheatreCorp production promises to be of interest to everyone who loves theatre in this city: it will, as ever, be visually inventive, thematically rich, and superbly well acted. We're looking forward to it immensely.”

Actress and NUI Galway teacher Sarah O’Toole plays Isabella, current student Darragh O’Brien and MA in Drama graduate Emmet Byrne are also acting, and students Muireann Ní Raghaillaigh and Lane Jackson work on the technical team.

Measure for Measure is supported by NUI Galway, the Town Hall Theatre and Galway City Council.

Tickets for Measure for Measure can be purchased from the Town Hall Theatre at 091 569777 or visit www.tht.ie, or on the door at the Black Box.

 -ENDS-