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:

Judi Herman - 1 October 2012

Jemima Robinson, one of the 2012 Linbury Prize winners for stage design, is the latest designer to be inspired to enchant in the extraordinary space that is the Watermill. Thanks to her design for Ben Crystal and director Paul Hart’s shortened The Tempest, her stage and auditorium are so seamless that sitting in the first few rows means you’re actually watching the action from inside Prospero’s cell.

It’s lined with great grey slabs and surrounded by shelves of books and instruments, interspersed with recycled radio sets intriguingly tuned to the shipping forecast (part of Steve Mayo's intricate soundscape). And Prospero is of course cooking up a gale force nine storm to wreck the ship he is drawing to his island.

And the auditorium continues to inspire, for the aisles “are full of music” (courtesy of composer Olly Fox) when the actor/musicians burst on to the stage to open Hart’s production in the style W...

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Latest User Review

Peter - 6 October 2012:

Excellent ensemble production. The shortened text kept all the essentials and added necessary pace while setting aside the 'unfunny' jokes of another era. The music was well gauged stylistically and beautifully delivered but, at times, the 'surround sound' effect meant that I didn't get the hot-house claustrophobia that I look for from what is Shakespeare's most tightly confined play - by both time and setting. I loved Ariel and Iris' ballooning rainbow! I know and love this play. I left happy and contented from a production I highly recommend....

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