Director Mo Pearce

Come unto these yellow sands’

Thunder echoes, lightning rips through the ragged fabric of the skies and the sea boils! The fleet of the King of Naples , on his way home after attending the marriage of his daughter to the Bey of Tunis, is scattered and feared lost as a storm of supernatural power threatens the lives of everybody on board.

The survivors eventually find themselves upon a magical island where everything is not as it seems and the past returns to demand a final reckoning.

‘The Tempest’, one of our literary masterpieces, is also one of the most enigmatic of Shakespeare’s works. Much seems hidden below the surface. During the years since the play was first performed, as one of the Bard’s final achievements, writers have been drawn to it constantly. Its themes have been recreated in operas, films and poems, and made the basis of philosophical and theological discussion. Many see the central character of Prospero / Prospera as the figure of Shakespeare himself, finally saying goodbye to his own genius.

As darkness falls in the ancient inn-yard of ‘The George’ and the martins swoop from the eaves, we hope that we will be recreating some magic of our own as plotters, clowns, monsters, spirits and lovers come together and the enchantress discovers that, although she can conjure fearful storms and darken the sun at midday, she can never change the nature and inclinations of the human heart.

As the storm clouds begin to gather, join us on a voyage of discovery that has only just begun. After the Tempest, many things will never be the same again!

 

Cast

ALONSO, King of Naples Robin Walters

FERDINAND, his son Angus MacRaild

SEBASTIAN, his brother Paul Askew

PROSPERA, the rightful ruler of Milan Maggie Caspall

ANTONIO, her brother, the usurping Duke of Milan Jonathan Rowe

MIRANDA, her daughter Victoria Welsh

LADY GONZALA, a noblewoman Stephanie Waller

LADY FRANCESCA, a noblewoman Catherine Akers

TRINCULO, the King’s jester Guy Marshall

STEPHANO, the King’s butler Adam Campbell

BOATSWAIN Aidan Hervey

CALIBAN, a savage slave Adrian Rigelsford

ARIEL, an airy spirit Rachel Silver

CHARACTERS IN THE MASQUE PLAYED BY SPIRITS

IRIS Carolyn Noble

CERES Pandora Odum

JUNO Donna Porter

SPIRITS IN THE SERVICE OF PROSPERA Emily Arkle, Jacob Attwooll, Jayne Bennett, Krissy Breslin, Henry Clifford, Laura Harling, Natalie Kelsey, Ben Noad, Clare Odum, Jack Rogers, Emily Stander, Charlotte Whitehouse, Rachael Whitehouse and Sam Williams

 

Production Team

Director Mo Pearce

Stage Manager Kevin Connor

Choreographer Pam Williams

Set Designer Colin Chalk

Wardrobe Mistress Jo Fradley

Costumes: design and creation Jo Fradley, Mo Pearce, Alison Whitehouse

Poster Design Mo Pearce

Stage Construction Kirton Construction

Set Construction / Stage Crew Malcolm Lyons,, Alan Caspall, Chris Hunnam, Jo Slee, Emma Heggie, Bob Pugh

Properties Kate Tweedly, Leslie Harling

Lighting designed by Andrew Kendon

Lighting Team Roger Blackmore, Daniel Cousins, Gary Mackay, Fiona Peacock, Mel Pugsley, Kieren Reed

Sound Team Steve Goodwin, Amanda Leaden, Maggie Redgrave

Make-up Team Diana Mackay, Emily Smerdon, Karen Bays, Jennie Fenton, Graeme Hammond, Lesley Williams, Maggie Lavin, Hilary Lavin, Jan Sheppeard

Publicity and Marketing Dee Wormald, Julie Groves, Jo Slee, Emma Heggie, Michael Williamson, Jonathan Salt

Programme Photographs Simon Ellis ABIPP AMPA

Front of House and Sales Trish James, Michael Cook, Annie Walsh, Edward Walsh and Team

Box Office Cheryl Cook, Michael Cook and Team

Fight Arranger Kim Meffin

Continuity Emma Heggie, Jo Slee

Hair Consultant Berkley Hair and Beauty