Shakespeare in St Dogmaels Abbey: Measure for Measure
From Wednesday 30 July - Saturday 2 August 2025 at 8 pm, the Abbey Shakespeare Players present Shakespeare's dark comedy
Location
St Dogmaels Abbey
Shingrig Saint Dogmaels SA43 3DX United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
Measure for Measure is a dark comedy of power and principles. In the licentious city of Vienna, virtuous Isabella is preparing to take her vows and enter a convent. But a sudden switch to authoritarian rule forces her to face a series of impossible moral choices, placing her virtue in opposition to the exercise of ruthless power and emotional appeal.
In our 39th year, the Abbey Shakespeare Players take on Measure for Measure for the very first time. Reflecting the tumultuous period when it was written, the play is a rollercoaster ride of thrills and humour – and its dark themes and comic absurdities find many echoes in the world today.
This is an open air production so please dress warmly and bring waterproofs. SEATING IS NOT PROVIDED so please bring your own folding chairs or rugs. See FAQs for more information.
Ticketing
The Abbey Shakespeare Players is a community organisation that has performed in the historic ruins of St Dogmaels Abbey in Pembrokeshire almost every year since 1987. The site's owner Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments, no longer permits community organisations to charge for tickets to their events.
Instead we are asking you to donate an amount of your choice. When you book, simply select as many 'Free' tickets as you need for your party. Then select one 'Donation' and donate the total amount you wish to give.
After we have covered our costs, any profits will be donated to causes in the local community. In previous years these have included heritage and community charity Hanes Llandoch, refugee welcome charity Croeso Teifi, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the White Hart Community Inn, the Cardigan Food Bank and the St Dogmaels Junior Football Club.
Frequently asked questions
Click the 'Get tickets' link, scroll down for the date you want and select as many 'General admission' tickets as you need for your party. We invite you to make a donation in addition.
Tickets are free, but we ask you to donate an amount of your choice to help cover our costs and support local organisations. We suggest £10 - £12 per adult, and £8 for under 18s, over 60s and unwaged people.
We will go ahead out of doors in light drizzle or occasional showers, so do bring waterproofs. If heavy rain is forecast, we will move to St Dogmaels Memorial Hall. There will be stewards to guide you.
Even if the day has been fine, it can be very cold after dark in the Abbey. Please bring plenty of warm clothes and blankets, as well as waterproofs.
No. Please bring your own folding chairs or rugs, and stewards will help you place them in the seating area.
Yes. There is a gentle slope up to the seating area, and stewards will show you a step free route to reach the area itself.
There will be tea, coffee and soft drinks available in the interval, served by the Coach House Visitor Centre. The nearby White Hart Community Inn will be open for alcoholic drinks. You are welcome to bring your own picnics and drinks.
Well-behaved dogs are permitted but must be removed at once if they disturb other audience members.
The very limited parking outside the Abbey grounds is reserved for disabled audience members. More parking is available in the car park on the High Street, opposite the Post Office. You may also find on-street parking in St Dogmaels Road. If it is possible for you to come without a car please do so.
Families are welcome. The play is in Shakespearean English but there will be lots of on-stage action. Toilets are a walk away at the foot of a gentle slope. It will be dark by the time the play ends.
Please be in your seats by 8 pm. You are welcome to arrive any time from 7 pm to place your seats and perhaps enjoy a picnic in the Abbey grounds.
Organised by
The Abbey Shakespeare Players are a largely amateur company of actors and musicians drawn from all over Britain by the magical setting of St Dogmaels Abbey in West Wales. We have presented a different Shakespeare play in the Abbey each summer for over three decades.