Latest news with #TheTempest
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Tempest review – drama in the heavens adds real magic to tumultuous tale
Outdoor theatre is by nature vulnerable to the weather, but there is a sense of a grand coincidence when an almighty storm whips up around this Poznań street performance of Shakespeare's play, threatening to upstage its tumultuous drama. Teatr Biuro Podróży's production at the Stara Rzeźnia, a former abattoir turned into a cultural space, was delayed by half an hour. But the elements provided a sublimely atmospheric accompaniment to the drama. Thunder within the soundtrack became indistinguishable from the real thing. As lightning cracked across the shipwrecked boat carrying Antonio, who fetches up on this enchanted isle, it seemed like part of the lighting design. The company, which has long staged outdoor works across the world, spun its own magic, the actors sodden but heroically undeterred. Directed and co-written (with Marta Strzałko) by company founder Paweł Szkotak, this production is inspired by Shakespeare's text rather than being a straight-up enactment. After the opening storm, the set is cracked apart and swivelled around to form promontories on the island, as well as the grounded remains of the boat. Stumps of trees scattered in the foreground are visual symbols of eco damage. Łukasz Matuszyk's magnificent score reflects an island full of aural enchantments – 'sound and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not' – switching the tone between storybook delight and electronic rumbles, dread groans and pumping house beats. The Tempest is part of the outdoor offering at Malta festival, a multidisciplinary programme in its 35th year, and the show is travelling to the UK as part of an international tour. The festival this year is celebrating tradition and reinvention. This company give a microcosmic homage to this paradoxical mission in its early faithfulness and late disruption of Shakespeare's text. It is mostly told through mime, music, physical theatre and inventive visual spectacle. Prospera is a female magician, Caliban her indentured slave in a suit with sinister bandages around his face. He is forced by Prospera to extract natural resources from the isle, hacking away at tree stumps with his tools (the eco message of the show has been carried through in production values, with much of the set crafted from reclaimed materials, including salvaged doors from Poznań tenement houses). Ariel is an imposing fairy on stilts. All hover between the delightful and dreadful. The seven-strong cast (Bartosz Borowski, Łukasz Kowalski, Paweł Stachowczyk, Marta Strzałko, Karolina Wensierska, Tomasz Wrzalik, Maciej Zakrzewski) bring stunning physicality to their parts. The drunken scenes involving Trinculo, Stephano and Caliban play out with surprising freshness and wit, involving beer and a wheelbarrow. The romance between Miranda and Ferdinand is water-bound in its motifs – the latter emerges out of the storm in bikini bottoms like a parody of a James Bond love interest – and there is lovely use of a pair of flippers. Endearing chemistry is created through the dances they do around and with each other. The show stays faithful until the closing scenes, when there is a coup orchestrated that is far bigger than Caliban's planned rebellion. The sound of a helicopter is heard as a giant plume of smoke envelops the audience, from which emerge military figures bearing machine guns. It is as if we, the audience, enter into the dream world as the smoke drifts over us and the tone switches once again. There is no tidy redemption for the sorcerer-coloniser. Her magical creatures flee or are caught and caged, like zoo animals. Some loose ends are left dangling: Ariel seems simply to disappear; the young couple at the heart of the play, cocooned in their romantic bubble, seem impervious to the assault on Prospera's isle. Maybe the message here is that only love will survive. The rain has cleared by the end of the night and despite the razed ground of this new ending, you are left with a delightful sense of invention, play – and, yes, magic. Malta festival runs until 28 June. The Tempest is presented by Watermans, at Bell Square, London, 19-20 September as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025. Arifa Akbar's trip was provided by the Polish Cultural Institute and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, partners in the UK/Poland Season 2025 organised by the British Council.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Pupils at King's former school perform Shakespeare at home where he stayed
More than 200 people from the Moray area enjoyed two outside performances of The Tempest by Gordonstoun students at Innes House this week. The late Queen and the late Prince Philip used to stay at the property when they visited the then Prince Charles and his brothers the princes Andrew and Edward, while they were at Gordonstoun. Senior school pupils performed The Tempest on June 24 and 25, with 20 cast and crew aged 13-18 involved in the show. Gordonstoun head Simon Cane-Hardy said: 'Innes House is an iconic venue, which has had a long-standing history with Gordonstoun stretching back to Prince Charles' time at the school. 'So, it was fitting that it provided the stunning backdrop to an outside performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest and we are grateful to the Tennant family for facilitating it. 'More than 200 people attended the free events and enjoyed a night of high drama. 'Gordonstoun is proud of its strong links with local communities and we were delighted to put on these performances in service to them. 'It was fantastic to see so many people come along and watch the students perform. 'Hopefully, this will be the first of many theatre performances at Innes House – the students are certainly looking forward to treading the boards, or grass, there again.' Innes House owner Edward Tennant, a current parent and governor, is the grandson of Sir Iain Tennant, who accompanied a young Charles on his first day at Gordonstoun in May 1962. Charles was involved in drama productions during his time at the school and took the lead role in Macbeth in a 1965 production. His performance as Macbeth was said to be outstanding and he was described as the best actor in the school. Edward Tennant said: 'My wife, Zoe, and I were delighted to be able to host the Gordonstoun Shakespeare production here at Innes House and give students the opportunity to experience performing in the open air away from school. 'It is a pleasure to continue the historical connection between Gordonstoun and Innes House, and we look forward to the school returning for many more productions in the future and for the local community to continue to have the chance to witness the superb talent of these young performers in a very special setting.' Student Alison Turner, who played the part of Prospero, said: 'Performing at Innes House was just incredible. The scenery was amazing where we performed, with the giant oak tree, flowerbeds and the statues. 'It all just felt very whimsical and magical to perform there, and helped bring to life the story we were trying to tell.' Student Tigerlily Toley, who played the character of Antonio, said: 'The audience were so engaged in our storytelling, which helped to bring the community together to share a collective, unique experience and love for the performing arts.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Pupils at King's former school perform Shakespeare at home where he stayed
More than 200 people from the Moray area enjoyed two outside performances of The Tempest by Gordonstoun students at Innes House this week. The late Queen and the late Prince Philip used to stay at the property when they visited the then Prince Charles and his brothers the princes Andrew and Edward, while they were at Gordonstoun. Senior school pupils performed The Tempest on June 24 and 25, with 20 cast and crew aged 13-18 involved in the show. Gordonstoun head Simon Cane-Hardy said: 'Innes House is an iconic venue, which has had a long-standing history with Gordonstoun stretching back to Prince Charles' time at the school. 'So, it was fitting that it provided the stunning backdrop to an outside performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest and we are grateful to the Tennant family for facilitating it. 'More than 200 people attended the free events and enjoyed a night of high drama. 'Gordonstoun is proud of its strong links with local communities and we were delighted to put on these performances in service to them. 'It was fantastic to see so many people come along and watch the students perform. 'Hopefully, this will be the first of many theatre performances at Innes House – the students are certainly looking forward to treading the boards, or grass, there again.' Innes House owner Edward Tennant, a current parent and governor, is the grandson of Sir Iain Tennant, who accompanied a young Charles on his first day at Gordonstoun in May 1962. Charles was involved in drama productions during his time at the school and took the lead role in Macbeth in a 1965 production. His performance as Macbeth was said to be outstanding and he was described as the best actor in the school. Edward Tennant said: 'My wife, Zoe, and I were delighted to be able to host the Gordonstoun Shakespeare production here at Innes House and give students the opportunity to experience performing in the open air away from school. 'It is a pleasure to continue the historical connection between Gordonstoun and Innes House, and we look forward to the school returning for many more productions in the future and for the local community to continue to have the chance to witness the superb talent of these young performers in a very special setting.' Student Alison Turner, who played the part of Prospero, said: 'Performing at Innes House was just incredible. The scenery was amazing where we performed, with the giant oak tree, flowerbeds and the statues. 'It all just felt very whimsical and magical to perform there, and helped bring to life the story we were trying to tell.' Student Tigerlily Toley, who played the character of Antonio, said: 'The audience were so engaged in our storytelling, which helped to bring the community together to share a collective, unique experience and love for the performing arts.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Pupils at King's former school perform Shakespeare at home where he stayed
More than 200 people from the Moray area enjoyed two outside performances of The Tempest by Gordonstoun students at Innes House this week. The late Queen and the late Prince Philip used to stay at the property when they visited the then Prince Charles and his brothers the princes Andrew and Edward, while they were at Gordonstoun. Senior school pupils performed The Tempest on June 24 and 25, with 20 cast and crew aged 13-18 involved in the show. A young Prince Charles arrives at Gordonstoun with Sir Iain Tennant (left), the late Prince Philip and headmaster Robert Chew (right) Gordonstoun head Simon Cane-Hardy said: 'Innes House is an iconic venue, which has had a long-standing history with Gordonstoun stretching back to Prince Charles' time at the school. 'So, it was fitting that it provided the stunning backdrop to an outside performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest and we are grateful to the Tennant family for facilitating it. 'More than 200 people attended the free events and enjoyed a night of high drama. 'Gordonstoun is proud of its strong links with local communities and we were delighted to put on these performances in service to them. 'It was fantastic to see so many people come along and watch the students perform. Charles performed as Macbeth at Gordonstoun (Royal Collection/PA) 'Hopefully, this will be the first of many theatre performances at Innes House – the students are certainly looking forward to treading the boards, or grass, there again.' Innes House owner Edward Tennant, a current parent and governor, is the grandson of Sir Iain Tennant, who accompanied a young Charles on his first day at Gordonstoun in May 1962. Charles was involved in drama productions during his time at the school and took the lead role in Macbeth in a 1965 production. His performance as Macbeth was said to be outstanding and he was described as the best actor in the school. Members of the senior school took part in the show (Gordonstoun/PA) Edward Tennant said: 'My wife, Zoe, and I were delighted to be able to host the Gordonstoun Shakespeare production here at Innes House and give students the opportunity to experience performing in the open air away from school. 'It is a pleasure to continue the historical connection between Gordonstoun and Innes House, and we look forward to the school returning for many more productions in the future and for the local community to continue to have the chance to witness the superb talent of these young performers in a very special setting.' Student Alison Turner, who played the part of Prospero, said: 'Performing at Innes House was just incredible. The scenery was amazing where we performed, with the giant oak tree, flowerbeds and the statues. 'It all just felt very whimsical and magical to perform there, and helped bring to life the story we were trying to tell.' Student Tigerlily Toley, who played the character of Antonio, said: 'The audience were so engaged in our storytelling, which helped to bring the community together to share a collective, unique experience and love for the performing arts.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pupils at King's former school perform Shakespeare at home where he stayed
Pupils at the King's former school have entertained local people with a free Shakespeare performance at the holiday home where he occasionally stayed while at school. More than 200 people from the Moray area enjoyed two outside performances of The Tempest by Gordonstoun students at Innes House this week. The late Queen and the late Prince Philip used to stay at the property when they visited the then Prince Charles and his brothers the princes Andrew and Edward, while they were at Gordonstoun. Senior school pupils performed The Tempest on June 24 and 25, with 20 cast and crew aged 13-18 involved in the show. Gordonstoun head Simon Cane-Hardy said: 'Innes House is an iconic venue, which has had a long-standing history with Gordonstoun stretching back to Prince Charles' time at the school. 'So, it was fitting that it provided the stunning backdrop to an outside performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest and we are grateful to the Tennant family for facilitating it. 'More than 200 people attended the free events and enjoyed a night of high drama. 'Gordonstoun is proud of its strong links with local communities and we were delighted to put on these performances in service to them. 'It was fantastic to see so many people come along and watch the students perform. 'Hopefully, this will be the first of many theatre performances at Innes House – the students are certainly looking forward to treading the boards, or grass, there again.' Innes House owner Edward Tennant, a current parent and governor, is the grandson of Sir Iain Tennant, who accompanied a young Charles on his first day at Gordonstoun in May 1962. Charles was involved in drama productions during his time at the school and took the lead role in Macbeth in a 1965 production. His performance as Macbeth was said to be outstanding and he was described as the best actor in the school. Edward Tennant said: 'My wife, Zoe, and I were delighted to be able to host the Gordonstoun Shakespeare production here at Innes House and give students the opportunity to experience performing in the open air away from school. 'It is a pleasure to continue the historical connection between Gordonstoun and Innes House, and we look forward to the school returning for many more productions in the future and for the local community to continue to have the chance to witness the superb talent of these young performers in a very special setting.' Student Alison Turner, who played the part of Prospero, said: 'Performing at Innes House was just incredible. The scenery was amazing where we performed, with the giant oak tree, flowerbeds and the statues. 'It all just felt very whimsical and magical to perform there, and helped bring to life the story we were trying to tell.' Student Tigerlily Toley, who played the character of Antonio, said: 'The audience were so engaged in our storytelling, which helped to bring the community together to share a collective, unique experience and love for the performing arts.'
