Tempest

The most active theatre company in Cheltenham

April 24-May 1 2004

The Playhouse Company’s first ever performance of a Shakespeare play is the great writer’s last. His final solo work (probably written in 1611) and many people’s favourite, will be on stage at the end of April 2004.

It is, like Midsummer Night’s Dream, a fantasy set in another world. Although the story of a shipwreck and an island inhabited my mystical creatures and a savage may have been inspired by real events, the play transcends any sense of reality and allows Shakespeare to give full rein to the maturity of his genius.

Written in a fairly even split of poetry and prose, it includes some of Shakespeare’s immortal lines such as Prospero’s ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on’, Caliban’s ‘Be not afear’d, this isle is full of noises’ and the line of Miranda’s which has passed into common usage ‘O brave new world, that has such people in it.’

Briefly, the story is of Prospero, the Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda, who are cast adrift in a rotting hulk by his scheming brother Antonio, who wishes to usurp his dukedom.

The pair are washed up on an enchanted island, which Prospero learns to control through supernatural power, with the help of Ariel, a spirit of the island. On the island he also encounters Caliban, a savage creature who becomes his slave. Caliban is one of Shakespeare’s most extraordinary creations, a creature who forces us to confront our views on nature and nurture.

When Antonio and other notables from Italy come sailing by, Prospero conjures up ‘The Tempest’ which washes them up onto his island and into his power. The end is inevitable but Prospero first directs his own ‘play’ involving much confusion and hilarity and a remarkable array of characters including the wicked but incompetent Antonio and Sebastian, the drunken butler Stephano (one of Shakespeare’s greatest comic creations), and the endearing Trinculo.

The Playhouse Company’s production will be full of theatrical magic, in keeping with the spirit of the play.

Four dancers will represent the spirits of the island, working with original choreography by Playhouse stalwart Tara Kennedy, and the play will feature a stunning new score written specially by newcomer Stephen Clayton.

Steve Evans, making his directorial debut with this production, has converted several of the characters from men to women. “Shakespeare’s work is so universal that it seems quite natural when the character’s gender is changed. After a few rehearsals it now seems impossible to imagine any of them as men. I’ve never been that keen on women playing men’s parts, I’d rather be honest about it and change the character to a woman.”

An extremely strong cast and crew has been assembled, including Playhouse veterans such as Mike Charlton (Prospero) and Doug Brinklow (Stephano) and three talented young newcomers making their debuts in major roles – Joy Darrah (Ariel), Sally Oliver (Miranda) and Dave Keeley (Sebastian).

A magical set will be created by the skills of designer Carol Meredith, stage manager Ray Tomasi and lighting designer Ed Ratzer, another talented newcomer to the company.

For booking details visit the main Playhouse Theatre website or call the box office on 01242 522852.

For inquiries about the production call Steve Evans on 01242 256911.

The text of the play. NB. it's copyright-free due to being written in 1611!

Review By the Echo

10:30 - 27 April 2004

But this version played Shakespeare's play for laughs, to great comic effect. This was due in no small part to the brilliant portrayal of the savage Caliban by Mr Young.

His snivelling voice and growing hatred of his master Prospero brilliantly encapsulated the character while his stooped gait and body language made him a joy to watch. His hatred of, and addiction to, his master's authority was like that of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The Playhouse Company wisely altered the original play slightly to inject more female faces into the cast with Joy Darrah as the airy spirit Ariel, Judith Baker as the Queen of Naples and Shirley Burgess, as Trinculo, all playing parts originally intended for men.

In Shirley's case the swap made for some great moments as she was mistaken for a man by her sozzled companion Stephano, a drunken butler played brilliantly by Doug Brinklow.

Mike Charlton, a theatre veteran with more than 50 years' acting experience, was clearly the most at home on stage and did a good job as Prospero. With his cape, imperious manner and goatee beard he looked like Ming the Merciless.

For anyone familiar with The Tempest this production will give a new perspective on an otherwise familiar play while for those with less Shakespeare experience, it provides an enjoyable and light-hearted introduction. The show continues until Saturday.

Echo , Tom Mallens (Gloucester Echo)