ADGE Europe presents TNT Theatre Britain: in:
THE TEMPEST
By William Shakespeare
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, our little lives are rounded with a
sleep”, Prospero tells us that this play is a waking dream, possibly the most
profound fantasy ever written, as well as a thriller, a romance and a slapstick
comedy of the highest order. Shakespeare conjures this world through some of
his finest poetry and boldest comedy, it is his farewell to the stage and an epic of
forgiveness as Prospero embraces his murderous brother. In the earthy demon
Caliban and the nimble spirit of the sky Ariel, Shakespeare creates two of his
most memorable characters, polar opposites who struggle for freedom on the
magical island that is surely a metaphor for our inner selves. But if the play is
full of poetry and profundity it is also one of Shakespeare’s most popular and
accessible plays: the action takes place within a few hours, there is only one
setting (the magical isle) and the story is clear and concise. From the
wonderfully conceived opening storm to the final departure of Ariel into the
freedom of the skies it is a gripping drama that is justly one of the most
performed plays ever written.
The story: Prospero, Duke of Milan, is kidnapped by his younger brother and
set loose in a small boat with only his daughter (Miranda) and his beloved books
for company. He lands on a remote island where he frees an air spirit, Ariel,
from his imprisonment by a witch. He takes the earth spirit Caliban as his friend
but Caliban abuses his daughter and is enslaved. Prospero spends his days
perfecting the magic powers he has learnt from his books. Years later a ship with
his brother and corrupt courtiers passes by the Island,. Prospero conjures a
storm and wrecks the ship – his brother and the crew and his enemy’s son
(Ferdinand) are thrown ashore at different parts of the Isle. The story concerns
the interplay of the wrecked men, their plots, plans and desires as Ariel and
Prospero teach them hard lessons or in the case of Ferdinand, how to love.
THE TEMPEST is an ideal play for TNT to explore as the company rejects TV
based realism and seeks the truly theatrical and fantastic. Award winning
director Paul Stebbings employs dynamic physical theatre, a cast of multi skilled
actors, live and specially composed music, dance, broad comedy, sensitive verse
speaking and the imagination of the audience to create total theatre that draws
on Shakespeare’s own style. Join TNT & ADGE for a magical evening of theatre:
Shakespeare’s last masterpiece.
“I Never knew Shakespeare could be so entertaining” CNN TV
“World class theatre” The Observer UK
“True Music theatre” Classical Music Magazine London
“The company prove that Shakespeare can be made accessible to any audience
anywhere, even if their first language is not English” Japan Times
“TNT demonstrate all the qualities of British theatre in a single performance”
Suddeutsche Zeitung