Wall to wall theatre

When Measure for Measure was first staged in 1604 it was classified as a comedy. Today it is considered one of Shakespeare's problem plays. It raises a complexity of moral issues dealing with love and lust, yet lacks the essential ingredients of a tragedy.

The play probes the complicated characters such as Angelo, the hypocrite and villain of the play who rules stricly and without mercy, and Isabella, the novice nun, who pretends to sleep with him to save her brother's life. All's Well That Ends Well and Troilus and Cressida are classified as problem plays too.

Despite the difficulties associated with the production, Creation Theatre Company has chosen Measure for Measure for their spring production.

David Parrish, artistic director of Creation, describes Measure for Measure as a play for our times - people in authority, from the church to politicians, criticise declining morals yet are often, metaphorically speaking, caught with their trousers down, "The company has talked about it a lot and have come to the conclusion that this play is as current now as it was when Shakespeare first wrote it," he said.

The director, Jonathan Holmes, has edited out the comedic low-life characters, making it a much sleeker production. It reads as Shakespeare probably intended in 1604, a decadent era.

The costumes, like so many of Creation's designs, are given a timeless quality.

Originally Measure for Measure was to be staged in Oxford's oldest building, St Michael at the Northgate, where Shakespeare became godfather to William Davenant, son of the innkeeper of the then Crown Inn.

But the company has chosen a new venue for them - the North Wall Theatre at St Edward's School, North Oxford. Opened in 2006, the 250-seater theatre, which serves both the school and the general public, is an atmospheric venue.

Creation, of course, is well known for staging Shakespeare in unusual places, from the BMW factory to the Mirror Tent, and the North Wall was originally a Victorian swimming pool.

David Parrish describes it as a simply gorgeous space. He loves the idea of it being built from what was once a pool. Indeed, he has contemplated staging a play in such a space, including water, as well as other highly unlikely places, such as a quarry, a farm and even a nightclub - but that's another story.

Creation was founded in 1996 and within a decade its annual audience topped 50,000. But last year's summer rains reduced audience numbers considerably. As Creation relies heavily on tourists, many of whom are only in Oxford for a short time, ticket sales plummeted.

On one occasion, the mechanical cross used in The Oxford Passion, staged in the grounds of the Oxford Castle, was under 3ft of flood water just days before opening night.

Later this month David plans to launch an appeal for new and exciting venues around Oxfordshire, to enable the company to bring its brand of accessible theatre to a wider audience.

He believes that there must be many spaces which would make ideal stages on which to set the Bard's plays.

"We have spent 12 years building up fantastic relationships with our host venues in Oxford, such as BMW and Oxford Castle, and are now looking to the public to help further our plan to find equally inventive locations around Oxfordshire and surrounding counties which would enable us to tour.

"We are open to all suggestions, the more unusual the better, and we'd love to hear from anyone who knows of a potential space."

Measure for Measure opened at The North Wall on Wednesday and runs until April 12. Perfomances are at 7.30pm except on April 5 when the show is at 8pm. There are matinees on March 22 and 29, and April 10 and 12. Tickets can be booked on 01865 766266, or by going to the Creation website www.creationtheatre.co.uk