Frome Drama Club presents Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Merlin Theatre from 24th-26th November.
Directed by Stephen Scammell this production places the characters and events in a modern world whilst remaining true to the story and script.
Prospero, Duke of Milan (Alan Burgess) and his daughter Miranda (Holly Ward) have been cast out of Milan and left to their fate on the open sea. Thirteen years pass and then fortune drops Prospero’s usurpers into his hands as they too are strangely cast away on the same island whilst returning from the wedding of Alonso (Robert O’Farrell), the King of Naples’ daughter. Prospero plans his revenge. Within Alonso’s court party there is also treachery as his younger brother Sebastian (Laurie Parnell) and Prospero’s usurping sister Antonia (Sue Ross) plan to murder Alonso and Gonzalo (Suzy Howlett).
This production has made some gender switching of key characters to bring a fresh spin to this four hundred year old play, not only do we have a treacherous and ambitious Antonia, but also in exact opposite qualities the good counsellor Gonzalo.
Whilst the court party stagger across the island in search of Alonso’s son and heir Ferdinand (Tom Davies) other castaways also have plans of their own for the ruling of this island. The drunk and foolish thug of a butler Stephano (Calum Grant) decides he will take the island for himself, and along with the young court party royal journalist Trinculo (Delilah Acworth), and Prospero’s slave Caliban (Richard J Thomas) they have treacherous and murderous plans to kill Prospero, only to be shown the foolishness of their plotting as they are led astray through desolate landscapes by Prospero’s servant Ariel (Polly Lamb).
Ariel, being the only true native of the magical island, is also confined by Prospero’s enslavement, just like Caliban. Prospero uses his magical craft to draw his usurpers ever closer to their fates, and punishments. This production very much focusses on the relationships across the characters in the play and questions the ideas of legitimacy to rule in society, and ambition, and whether such rule is to be done with kindness or an iron fist.
Set in a contemporary context, and delivered in a modern approach, we are taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions and action. Faced with the three drunken rebels hell bent on taking the island for themselves, or the fractured court party wandering aimlessly across the island with internal treacheries waiting to strike, or the emotional journey of one man having to face up to his demons, choosing between revenge or forgiveness, and what those choices may hold for the future for himself and his daughter we are put on a fast spin speed as the play reaches it’s uncertain climax.
Also appearing in the production are Will George, Peter Collins, and Ian Sanderson as the Boatswain, Master, and very very chilled out Lord Adrian. This promises to be an eventful and unexpected take on Shakespeare’s final full play.
Tickets from merlin Box Office 01373 465949.
