"The Tempest"

Nottingham Shakespeare Company.

St John's Church, Carrington.

Shakespeare’s final play is a pot pourri of emotions. Close to a Mediterranean island, a storm overcomes a ship that carries King Alonso of Naples, his son Ferdinand, and his brother Sebastian. They were on their way home from Tunis to Italy when the storm hit, and their ship is demolished in the process. Shipwrecked with them are the courtier, Gonzalo, and the Duke of Milan, Antonio.

From the island, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, and his fifteen year-old daughter, Miranda, watch the storm and the shipwreck. Miranda fears for the ship's crew, but Prospero assures her that everything is fine. He decides to open up about his past, telling her how twelve years previously, he had been deposed in a coup by his brother, Antonio.

With the aid of Gonzalo, Prospero had escaped in a boat with the infant Miranda and his books of magic. They travelled to the island and made it their home, while the only native islander, Caliban, was made their slave.

The only other inhabitants of the island are the spirits including Ariel, whom Prospero had rescued from imprisonment in a tree. Since Antonio is on the boat that is now shipwrecked, Prospero hopes finally to rectify his past. As Miranda sleeps, Prospero plots with Ariel about his role in the shipwreck and what to do with the men now that they are on the shore.

With Shakespeare it’s very open to interpretation from the Director as well as the audience, which is why we see so many different versions of plays like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” set in various eras and styles. This is one reason why Shakespeare is still as popular today as it ever was, and something that Nottingham Shakespeare Company do so well, proven by the turnout for their touring productions.

I've been a fan of the Nottingham Shakespeare Company for a few years now and love the way that they very often bring a new vision of Shakespeare's works to the streets of the East Midlands, and my chat with Mary, Amanda and Director Ali a few weeks ago, whet my appetite for this production, even though I have seen "The Tempest" several times over the years. There's comedy, magic and romance, and this time around set under the Big Top of a circus with Prospero as the Ringmaster.

Tom Salyers is Prospero, who was once Duke of Milan until his brother Antonio usurped his position and had Prospero cast out to sea in a small boat with his young daughter Miranda. Prospero and Miranda landed on an island where the only other inhabitants are spirits and a strange creature called Caliban, who he now controls by magic in this circus. I have seen Tom several times performing Shakespeare, and what Tom doesn't know about The Bard probably isn't worth knowing. After all, he holds a Master of Fine Arts in Shakespearean Staging and Performance from the University of Exeter, and has been performing Shakespeare for over twenty five years.

Ferdinand is played by Fred Baker, who you may recognise from his latest roles at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre. Ferdinand is the only son of Alonso, King of Naples. When the ship seems to be breaking up in the tempest, he swims ashore and believes his father drowned. He falls in love with Miranda at first sight but Prospero thinks they have fallen in love too easily. Prospero uses his magical powers to make Ferdinand a slave and forces him to carry logs. Ferdinand puts up with this so long as he can see Miranda. Eventually, Prospero rewards his loyalty by releasing him and agrees that Ferdinand and Miranda can marry. Fred's physicality with the logs is both realistic as well as comedic, and great fun to watch.

Madeeha Kamall is Antonio, Prospero's younger brother. Prospero trusted him to help rule the dukedom of Milan but Antonio used this trust against his brother and secretly plotted with Alonso to overthrow Prospero and have him and Miranda removed from the city. Antonio owes a debt to Alonso for his help and wants Sebastian to become King of Naples instead so that he can be released from that debt. Getting everyone in the mood for the circus, Madeeha performs a couple of sets as one of the two aerialists before the circus begins, and you can't help but look on in awe of the smooth twists, turns and balancing all done in the air.

Warren Hunter returns to the Nottingham Shakespeare Company as Stephano, butler to Alonso, King of Naples. He was washed up on the island alone and wanders around drunk until he meets up with his friend Trinculo, who is hiding under a cloak with Caliban. Stephano shares his wine with them and Caliban thinks he is a god. Stephano agrees to kill Prospero, rule the island and become Caliban’s new master. However, Ariel watches them and makes sure they do not cause any real trouble. 

Richard Tann-Watson is Gonzalo who returns to the stage after a decade long hiatus with his first foray into Shakespeare, and his debut for Nottingham Shakespeare Company. Gonzalo is chief advisor to Alonso, King of Naples. He is remembered by Prospero for his kindness in making sure that supplies, clothing and books were put aboard the boat when Prospero and Miranda were cast out to sea. He tries to keep Alonso positive as they search the island for Ferdinand and is aware that Sebastian and Antonio make fun of him. 

Trinculo is played by Natalie Rayner, another actor making their debut with the NSC. Trinculo is a jester and serves Alonso, King of Naples, and was washed up alone on the island after the shipwreck. Looking for shelter, he ends up crawling underneath Caliban's cloak with him. His friend Stephano then discovers them and they meet Caliban. Stephano is persuaded to kill Prospero, by Caliban, and Trinculo reluctantly follows along with their plot. Here's another brilliant debut, and I won't spoil it if you plan to see this show, but Trinculo's image resembles a very well recognised and famous clown. Thankfully this clown does not remain silent, and I love the accent given to the character.

Alonso is played by an actor that I have seen several times on stage, Saurav Modak. Alonso is the King of Naples. He helped Antonio to get rid of Prospero and take his brother’s place as Duke of Milan. He has two children, a daughter called Claribel and a son, Ferdinand. His fleet of ships is returning to Naples from Tunis but they are caught in a huge storm. Travelling with him is his son, his brother and other nobles. They are all washed up on the island after the storm, although Alonso thinks Ferdinand has drowned. When Alonso finally meets Prospero, he apologises and makes him Duke of Milan again. When he is reunited with Ferdinand and finds out about his engagement to Prospero’s daughter Miranda, he is delighted. Saurav also doubles his roles as Juno.

Mary Sullivan makes her Nottingham Shakespeare Company debut as Miranda, Prospero's daughter and his only child. She was cast out to sea with her father when she was three-years-old and knows nothing about the world except what her father has taught her. Prospero hopes she and Ferdinand will be attracted to each other. When they immediately fall in love, he pretends to be angry and makes Ferdinand a slave. Once Ferdinand has proved he deserves Miranda, he blesses their engagement with a magical show.

Amelia Renard is Caliban, who also makes her NSC debut. Sycorax, a witch, was abandoned on the island and gave birth to a son, Caliban. When she died, he was left alone on the island with only the invisible spirits for company. When Prospero and Miranda arrive on the island, Caliban lives with them as part of the family but when Prospero catches him about to sexually assault Miranda, he throws Caliban out and treats him as a slave. Caliban wants revenge on Prospero but is afraid of his magical powers. When he meets Stephano, Caliban believes the drunken butler can kill Prospero and become a better master to him. He tries to lead Stephano to kill Prospero but Ariel and Prospero defeat his plans.

Lauren Treharne plays Sebastian, and I am sure that I was told that Lauren also makes her debut with NSC with this role. Sebastian is Alonso’s brother and one of the men who is shipwrecked on Prospero’s island. He is callous and impressionable, and he plays henchman to Antonio’s villain. He is an instantly dislikable character from the moment we meet him. Cantankerous and unhelpful during the shipwreck in the early scenes and shows a clear lack of empathy when he blames the grieving Alonso for Ferdinand’s alleged death. 

Magda Knight is Iris, one of the spirits summoned by Prospero during the masque celebrating Miranda and Ferdinand’s impending marriage. She is the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Gods, which means she bridges the gap between the mortal world and the magical world. Magda also plays Bo'sun, who is in charge of the doomed ship. The start of the play sees all the passengers and crew of the ship tossed around in an impressive way, especially as the tossing and turning is all done on level ground, but still managed to make you feel just a little seasick thanks to the dramaturg of the piece.

Adelaide Marshall is the playful Ariel. Adelaide, like so many of this cast, is making their debut for the Nottingham Shakespeare Company. Ariel is the chief spirit of the island and controls the other spirits. Prospero found him imprisoned in a pine tree where he had been left by Sycorax, who died before Prospero arrived. In return for being freed from the tree, Ariel now serves Prospero and carries out his magical orders. Prospero promises Ariel that if he does everything he is asked to, he will be set free. At the end of the play, when Prospero has achieved everything he wanted with Ariel’s help, he says goodbye to Ariel and sets him free. What a debut, and what an addition to the Company's roster of Shakespearian actors.

So many Nottingham Shakespeare Company debuts, which shows the respect that these actors have for this company in delivering excellent pieces of theatre written by The Bard.

Directed by Alistair Fiori-McPhee, assisted by Jonathan Mansfield, both making their Directorial debuts, and like those actors who are also debuting, are brilliant at these new roles. I've seen both Alistair and Jonathan act with the NSC and have raved about their performances, and here now is a chance to rave about the visions that they both have regarding this production. They have made a classic Shakespearian piece of work even more comical and presented a fresh view of the story while keeping the traditional side of it as well.

Produced by Esther Warren, who worked the sound as well. Sorry I didn't get chance to say "hello" earlier.

Costume Mistress for this show is Katrin Salyers. The costumes were as fabulous as the story itself, all of the costumes holding a little bit of magic of their own.

Joe Perry is the Musical Director and Composer of the original music heard throughout the non stop ninety minutes of Shakespearian shenanigans.

Props are sourced by Jean Fiori-McPhee and, as with the costumes, are fun to note and to see how they are utilised within the story.

If you've seen "The Tempest" previously then you will obviously know the story, but this vision of the story within a circus style environment is a lovely new slant, especially with the parade of circus characters towards the end of the play. I've also stated in the past just what a difference experiencing Shakespeare in the open air is. Nottingham Shakespeare Company did provide chairs for the presentation in Carrington, but this may have just been for this venue, so make sure, if you can, take a fold up chair to sit on. Make an event of the show, as the two ladies just in front of me did, by taking a picnic hamper with you so you can eat and drink while you enjoy the show.

Photography by John Smalley of Vapour Trail Photography.

The local tour of "The Tempest" ends on Sat 8th August at The Embankment, Nottingham.

You can see the full list of venues and performances in the flyer attached to this piece.