CLEARLY FUN

Director Barry Kyle's clear and straightforward production emphasised the comedic aspects. On the opening night in Stratford-upon-Avon, an electrical fault resulted in a continuous strobe lighting effect on stage. Despite this technical glitch, the production was commended by critics for its sense of fun, exemplified by the hilarious performances of John Nettles as Lucio and Richard Griffiths as Pompey.

APPEALING AUTHORITY

The enigmatic character of the Duke was given a refreshing interpretation by Michael Pennington. His personable Duke was humane and playful, whether sipping some of Mariana's wine on the sly or confiding in the audience about his problems exercising authority. It was "an extremely brainy study of a onetime ascetic who, by putting on religious gear, discovers the worldliness buried inside his own nature" Michael Billington, Guardian, 7 November 1979.

Pennington continued to play the Duke when the production toured to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on its transfer to the Aldwych Theatre in London, but David Suchet, Sinéad Cusack and Natasha Parry replaced Jonathan Pryce (Angelo), Paola Dionisotti (Isabella) and Marjorie Bland (Mariana).