The Tempest

Synopsis

Prospero, Duke of Milan, his dukedom usurped by his brother Antonio, is put to sea with his daughter Miranda and some magical books smuggled in by his loyal councillor Gonzalo. The sea casts them up on an island where Prospero, exercising his magical powers, makes a home for himself and Miranda. One day a great storm, which Prospero has conjured, breaks up a passing ship and delivers to him the members of his usurping court. Treacherous brother, fellow conspirators and old friend alike come under Prospero's spell. Shakespeare's last play.

Our Review:

22 January 2003

Now that it's hit London, Michael Grandage's Sheffield Crucible production of The Tempest looks like it's just as anxious to leave, given the pace that the actors take the first act. Such is the speed with which they attack Shakespeare's words that huge chunks of the play are rendered completely unintelligible.

It obviously proves an unnerving event for some audience members as, on the night I attended, there were a few empty seats in the second half. That's a pity, for the production improves no end after the interval when the actors slow down and realise the words actually mean something. (That said, even with the more measured approach to the second half, there are still some isolated examples of dreadful speech.)

Christopher Oram's design offers a proscenium arch within a proscenium arch; for this Prospero is not so much a magician as a theatrical impresario. There's a superb production trick at the end of the storm scene - and this is yet ano...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (80.189.45.23) - 8 September 2003:

WOW. I agree with all of the below!...

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