Theatre Rusticle is back in action with their production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Expertly directed by Allyson McMackon, this engaging production uses only five actors to tell the story of Shakespeare’s final play. Beautifully staged and brilliantly acted, The Tempest reminds me of why I love Shakespeare as much as I do.

For those who might not be familiar with the plot of The Tempest, the story tells us of a magical duke named Prospero. The former duke of Milan, Prospero was ousted by his brother, Antonio, who took over his dukedom with the help of the King of Naples, Alonso and Alonso’s brother Sebastian. Only Gonalzo, an older courtier, helps Prospero escape and sets him adrift in the sea with his young daughter, Miranda. We meet these characters a full twelve years after Prospero and Miranda’s banishment, when by happenstance the King, Sebastian, and Antonio are all aboard a ship passing Prospero’s new island home, and he decides to enact his vengeance. Helping him to do so are Ariel, a spirit of the island whom Prospero rescued from a tree upon his arrival and has since been their master, and Caliban, a native of the island and part monster, who also serves Prospero. There are several plots to this story: a love plot between Miranda and Prince Ferdinand (Alonso’s son), a silly plot with Stephano and Trinculo (two clowns of the court who were travelling with the king) who find Caliban and decide to try and take the island for themselves, and a political subterfuge plot where Sebastian and Antonio consider killing the king so that Sebastian can become King and Antonio become his second in command. All of these are discovered by Prospero and each are handled and resolved in the final moments of the play.

The Tempest is the last play that Shakespeare wrote, and it contains some very meta theatrical moments which are highlighted, and taken to the next level, with this production. At the beginning of the play, each of the actors introduces themselves, and the myriad characters they’ll be inhabiting throughout the show. And at the end, they added in a small speech about how Prospero would have told the courtiers the same story as we’ve just been told, and then proceed to share his final speech begging for release at the end of the play. This focus on the story, and the fact that it’s a story about telling stories and creating illusions and theatrical magic, is cleverly done, and allows the audience to feel like a part of that magic.

When I saw in the press release that there were only five actors in this production, I wondered how they were going to accomplish such a character-rich play. This is where the talent of the design team, helmed by director Allyson McMackon, comes in. Each of the actors were in the same elegant blue dresses designed and created by Brandon Kleiman. Then, they would adorn various hats, ruffs, capes, and other costume pieces to denote their character. The hats which they wear while embodying Ariel are certainly the most extravagant, with tiny ships tossing in their own little tempests. Designed by Lindsay Anne Black and made by Monica Viani, they are an unforgettable design element of the show. I thought that it was very clear to follow along with who was inhabiting which character based on the colour of ruff they were wearing or if they had Prospero’s magic cloak etc. I loved that each actor got to take a turn at playing Prospero; his lines are poetical and some of the most famous in the cannon, so to see them shared amongst the cast was delightful.

The final design element which really unites the whole production is Michelle Ramsay’s lighting design. As you can see in the photos, they were able to make these incredible patterns on the ocean-blue flooring used for the stage. The lighting not only provided dazzling visuals, but also gave us a visual representation of when certain characters were under Prospero’s powerful spells. Without a set, the lighting becomes extremely important to help with the audience’s understanding of the action and this production does a masterful job of making that happen.

The company performing The Tempest is astounding; from taking on multiple roles each to their physicality and stamina, they are beyond impressive. Brefny Caribou, Jill Goranson, Beck Lloyd, Trinity Lloyd, and Annie Tuma each give memorable and powerful individual performances while also working spectacularly as an ensemble. The moments where they’re playing Ariel are my favourites, as their ability to speak and move in unison gives that almost uncanny, otherworldly effect. At one point Ariel is taking over the voice of Trinculo, and the actors playing Ariel mimic Trinculo’s movements down to the tapping of her toes; it was marvellous to watch. These are clearly experienced storytellers doing what they to best.

The Tempest has a rather short run, so make sure you get out to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to take in this spectacular production. It’s unlike any performance of The Tempest you’re likely to see anywhere else! For more information and tickets, visit: https://theatrerusticlewordpresscom.wordpress.com/the-tempest/

---

Cover Photo: Trinity Lloyd and Beck Lloyd. Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh

---

Thank you to my Patrons:

B. Kinnon, D. Moyes, D. Nelson

And to my supporters who’ve bought me a coffee:

Angelica and Paul, Anonymous

Would you like to become a Patron? Check out my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/AViewfromtheBox

Or, you can buy me a coffee at: buymeacoffee.com/aviewfromthebox