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The Tempest - Tour

Playwright - William Shakespeare
Director - Patrick Mason
Assistant Director - Alex Clifton
Designer - Francis O'Connor
Lighting Designer - Paul Keoghan
Music - Tom Foster-Carter
Company - Theatre Royal Plymouth with Thelma Holt - Cast see end of review
Venue - King Theatre Edinburgh 0131 529 6000
New Secure 72 hr email booking + info available at www.eft.co.uk
Dates & Times - 15 - 19 Oct at 7:30pm Mats Thurs & Sat at 2:30pm
Venues & Dates - see end of review
Seen to review at King's theatre, Edinburgh
Run Time - 2hours 30 mins with 15 mins interval
Reviewer - Thelma Good

Brier's thoughtful portrayal

It starts with a magical, additional scene in Patrick Mason's production created by Francis O'Connor's stunning set and Paul Keoghan's dramatic lighting. The glossy dark blue walls and walls of the set reflect the light. Illuminated from behind the walls and floor this scene is lit by pinpricks of light, creating the element that is Ariel's home. He blows from his lips the storm onto the cloud strewn world, floating in space.

The play 's first scripted scene then follows. The storm whipping up, making the black oilskinned sailors and King Alsono's men, including the current Duke of Milan, Antonio who usurped his brother Prospero, stagger on the doomed ship. The sound of thunder and crashing water is intense, filling the auditorium - the words almost at times drowned out by its force. On a nearby island Prospero explains to his daughter Miranda why he has ordered the tempest. He has witheld for twelve years how they came to be on this island. On that ship is his brother Antonio who conspired to give Milan to Prospero's enemy King Alonso who is also on board along with their courtiers.

The Tempest - Theatre Royal Plymouth Production Richard Briers as Prospero © photographer 2002

Richard Brier's Prospero is quietly full of magical strength, his inherent human goodness clear in his gentle words to his daughter, in his determination to bring change rather than harm. This is not a stern, half mad Prospero. It's a more thoughtful portrayal exploring wise leaders and baser ambitious men and how you cope with adversity and power.

Madelaine Worrall as Miranda, and Orlando Wells as the shipwrecked King of Naples' son, Ferdinand, capture well an initial attraction which clearly will last as Prospero tenderly gives her to Ferdinand, his enemy's son. Ariel, Ben Silverstone is quite other worldly, a pure spirit untouched by sexual desire. He's well counterpointed by Rory Kinnear's Caliban, a naive being only in touch with his basic needs, played more raw human than deformed monster. Shipwrecked jester Trinculo, Darren Tunstall and butler Stephano, Stephen Casey meet Caliban, whose island this really is. All three get full comic measure of their encounters, playing off the audience to everyones' delight.

Where the production is unbalanced and leaks some of the strength of the play's themes of kingmanship, naked ambition and wisdom is in the rest of the shipwrecked passengers. While Tristram Wymark makes a fine scoffing courtier of Sebastian and William Russell is a honourable Gonzalo, Crispin Redman's Antonio smircks too much to make his mark. Micheal Gaunt's Alonso lacks any sense of command, indeed Paul Benzing is far more memorable in the small part of the Boatswain.

Mason's direction isn't consistent, with aweakening entrance for Juno, an over ornate one to Ceres and one very clumsy one to Ariel. That last may reflect more on the difficulty of flying an actor in touring venues. There are striking images and satisfying performances. Those I will remember, as I will Prospero's final speech given by an actor who has enriched my grasp on this Shakespeare's last and very complex play.
© Thelma Good 15 October 2002. - Published on EdinburghGuide.com

Cast:
Master - Leon Tanner
Boatswain - Paul Benzing
Alonso - Michael Gaunt
Antonio - Crispin Redman
Gonzalo - William Russell
Sebastian - Tristram Wymark
Mariner/Spirit - Marc Baylis
Maranda - Madelaine Worrall
Prospero - Richard Briers
Ariel/Iris - Ben Silverstone
Cailban - Rory Kinnear
Ferdinand - Orlando Wells
Adrian - Casten Hayes
Franciso - Oliver Le Seur
Trinculo - Darren Tunstall
Stephano - Stephen Casey
Ceres - Caoimhe Harvey
Juno - Lisa Reeves


Tour Dates for Theatre Royal Plymouth Theatre's production of The Tempest 2002
Tour begins
3 - 12 Oct at Plymouth Theare Royal
15 - 19 Oct at 7:30 Mats Thurs + Sat at 2:30pm Edinburgh King's Theatre 0131 529 6000
21 - 25 Oct Malvern Festival Theatre
28 Oct - 2 Nov Bath Theatre Royal
4 - 9 Nov Guilford Yvonne Arnaund Theatre
11 - 16 Nov Nottingham Theatre Royal
18 - 23 Nov Norwich Theatre Royal
Tour ends

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