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:

14 June 2010

If there are better settings for Shakespeare in London, it would be interesting to know where they are. As Gonzalo says early on in the play, “How lush and lusty the grass looks! how green!” and while there’s the odd disturbance from traffic noise, this is an ideal venue for Shakespeare.

There are long links between Gray’s Inn and Shakespeare. The Comedy Errors was first performed in the hall here, so by using the Inn’s lawns, the Oxford Shakespeare Company is following in a long tradition. It would an interesting exercise to stage Henry VI here though - the line “First, kill all the lawyers” might cause a little frisson.

This is not a radical retelling of The Tempest. Mick Gordon’s production delves little into the questions of colonialism that so intrigue modern day directors. He tells the tale simply, at a rattling pace (the whole performance lasts just 95 minutes); most of the opening scene is ...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

No reviews yet

Click here to add your review