Simon Goodwin, Associate Director of the National Theatre and at the Royal Shakespeare Company, crossed the pond in 2017 to stage Measure for Measure in Brooklyn. He set this urgent Shakespearean drama in a modern city becoming increasingly authoritarian and hypocritical.  This dark comedy about justice, faith, power, sex, harassment, and family loyalty engages audiences directly in its clashing arguments. Simon lured audience members underground through hallways transformed into a preview of Mistress Overdone’s brothel and the café where Mariana sang; and once back in the auditorium, twelve were chosen to sit around the stage as a jury. Jonathan Cake, Cara Ricketts, and Thomas Jay Ryan starred in a company of 12 actors, playing in a high-stakes conflict of clashing ideologies. 

Monica has backed Simon Godwin in a number of his productions of Shakespeare’s works, starting with one of her favorite plays, Measure for Measure, in 2017. Godwin is now artistic director of the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC yet continues his association with NT and TFANA.