I have seen this play staged several times, but never has the Boatswain received almost a standing ovation, and never has Prospero’s memory ‘failed him’ so dramatically!
The Apollo Players have decided to give their audience a true taste of the theatre of the time, so on entering the auditorium ones expectations of seeing a representation of a sinking ship or an enchanted island are immediately challenged by the courtyard of the Ship Inn. The players similarly are milling about dicing and chatting, as they would have done in Will’s day. There is even a traditionally Elizabethan ending, which I shan't give away….
The Boatswain acts as stagehand, scene marker and comic turn: once used to this device his every appearance was greeted by laughter and applause, and he was in grave danger of stealing the show – and would have done had it not been for excellent performances from his colleagues.
The shipwreck was cleverly presented, although at times it was difficult to hear the words over the noise of the eponymous tempest, but as we moved on to dry land every character was clearly drawn and thoughtfully acted.
Prospero was, as he should be, the dominating figure: now ordering his spirit Ariel to her task; now silently observing the results of his magical intrigue; now confronting his past enemies, enjoying having the upper hand. Yet he still managed to be a sympathetic figure - his deep sense of the injustice he had suffered and his tender love for his daughter Miranda were skilfully drawn.
Miranda herself was as sweet and naïve as her love interest Ferdinand was heroic and dashing – the effect helped by his rich blue doublet of course!
The shipwrecked nobles can sometimes be presented as a homogenous group, but in this production the gentle old Gonzalo and the despairing yet regal King Alonso were set against the calculating, sneering usurper Antonio and his sidekick Sebastian, who was played as slightly stupid but ready to engage in Antonio’s plot.
Set against the foiled plot to kill Alonso (showing of course that Antonio was still as evil as when he took Prospero’s dukedom) was the comic plot to kill Prospero and rule the island hatched by Caliban, Prospero’s deformed slave, along with the drunkards Stephano and Trinculo. Caliban was suitably deranged and monstrous, and the double act staggered about the stage hilariously.
For me, one of the stars of the play is Ariel: her graceful movement, beautiful singing voice and ethereal presence contributed to the magical atmosphere of this enchanted isle. It was during one of the exchanges with Ariel that Prospero appeared to forget his lines, to be prompted by the ubiquitous Boatswain – a rehearsal lapse that was so amusing it made it into the final play, much to the audience’s appreciation.
The denouement settled all matters to everyone's (well, almost!) satisfaction – certainly the audiences – and while, as Prospero says, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on”, the plots hatched on this island to gain power could perhaps have something to say to contemporary politicians?
Be that as it may, this is a most entertaining Shakespearean feast, whether you are a devotee of the Bard or not.
No comments:
Post a Comment