Shakespeare By The Sea Festival

Bruce Brenton (Prospero)

 

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Adam Clarke - Sebastian
Bobbie Warren - Iris
Bruce Brenton - Prospero
Chris Hibbs - Antonio
Chris Panting - Alonso
Desiree Baker - Nymph
Dylan Brenton - Francisco
Ken Butler - Master
Giles Ayres - Adrian
Glenn Gaulton - Bosun
Jean Graham - Juno
Jedediah Baker - Caliban
Jessie Meyer - Ceres
Lynn Panting - Ariel
Michael Collins - Stephano
Mike Nolan - Trinculo
Peter Ayres - Gonsalo
Ryan Walsh - Ferdinand
Sarah Browne - Miranda

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Directed by Danielle Irvine
Stage Managed by Gillian Richards
Costume Design by Jennifer King
Choreography by Lynn Panting

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Director’s Notes

The Tempest is, on the surface, a play about the power of magic. And while the play is filled with spirits and nymphs and Prospero’s spells, we also see it is a play about conquering nature with the power of learning.

But conquering nature doesn’t always mean trees and beasts.  Sometimes it is about our own baser natures and the storms within.  And sometimes true learning doesn’t have anything to do with books but with opening our own hearts and minds and truly making mistakes. 

Then as we delve deeper still, we see that the real magic is in family, friendship and forgiveness.  And yes, this is a comedy!

I am so very happy to be back at the site that inspired us all and launched a festival that has spanned all these years.  The island in The Tempest comes alive here like no set on a stage can ever begin to accomplish.  I hope you enjoy your time with us, the waves, the whales, the rocks and above all, the Bard.

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Play Synopsis (from Shakespeare’s Words by David Crystal and Ben Crystal)

A ship carrying Alonso, King of Naples, his son Ferdinand, Antonio and other nobles, is wrecked in a storm created by the spirit Ariel, under the magic art of Prospero.  Prospero’s daughter Miranda, afraid for the voyages, is told they are safe.  Prospero explains to her that he is the rightful Duke of Milan, usurped by Antonio, and that they had arrived on their island many years before after being sent out to sea by some of those whom he now has in his power.

As Miranda sleeps, Ariel reports that the lords are on the island as he had commanded, with Ferdinand separated from the others.  Caliban, a savage inhabitant of the island, is under the power of Prospero and is forced to do his bidding.  Prospero gets Ariel to lead Ferdinand across the island so that he meets Miranda, and they fall in love.  To test his worth, Prospero makes Ferdinand carry out menial tasks.

Alonso and the lords begin their search for Ferdinand, though they fear he has been drowned.  Antonio persuades Alonso’s brother Sebastian to kill the King and claim his throne, but Ariel intervenes and stops them.  Caliban encounters Alonso’s jester Trinculo and butler Stephano, whom he decides to serve with the aim of persuading them to kill Prospero.  They get drunk and Prospero sends Ariel to confuse and play tricks on them.

Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio are fiercely reprimanded for their past deeds by Ariel.  Alonso runs off followed by the others.  Prospero brings the goddesses Iris, Juno and Ceres into a ceremony celebrating Ferdinand and Miranda’s betrothal.  He then has Ariel and other spirits chase Caliban, Stepahno and Trinculo away through the marshes to foil their plot against him.  He then vows to give up his magical powers once he has achieved his aims and to free Ariel, who has been begging for liberty.

Ariel leads the lords to Prospero, and they stand in a trance before him.  He rouses them and they beg forgiveness, which Prospero grants, and he is finally restored to his dukedom.  Ferdinand and Miranda are revealed to all.  Ariel leads in the sailors from their ship and then Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano.  Caliban promises to behave.  Prospero sets Ariel free and finally, asks the audience for his own release through their applause.