Gender fluidity on stage will be taken to the next level when the actors Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden alternate the same role in a new version of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.
But Rourke, who is stepping down as artistic director in 2019, promised the production would not be confusing.
The role swap will probably take place about halfway through, with some scenes being replayed, including the key moment when Angelo makes the offer to Isabella.
Josie Rourke, the theatre’s artistic director, said the tale of sex and power was “hugely relevant” to the times we were living in.