The Tempest - Yet another rambling review.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 02:59 pmWalter Plinge1 post in thread
The Tempest - Yet another rambling review.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 02:59 pmWe went to see The Tempest last Saturday evening. You're all
going to have to forgive me, the program is not with me, so
it's possible that I'm going to get names wrong, when I get them
at all.
And a big thank you to Glenn, I think it was, who so admired
the colour of my dress as I was getting programs.
With this play, I always have a pretty rock hard preconceived notion as to how the characters are played.
Well that all just went out the window!
I don't know about you, but Prospero to me generally comes across as a manipulative ascetic, not interested in worldly affairs. The redoubtable Stephen Lee gives us a jolly, earthly
dad who wants the best for his daughter. And by the Muses, it
works wonderfully!
I liked the pacing, it seemed to go very quickly, I was suprised
when it was over!
I really liked the stage work, they had some difficult and fast
costume changes which went flawlessly. Great costumes, and the scene where Ceres and Co are blessing the union was very, very
impressive.
The fog was just right for the eerie isle.
Neat props too - the banquet table was very impressive!
The Stephano/Trinculo/Caliban (I have got that right, haven't
I? Butler and Jester anyway) unholy alliance had me wincing,
not because it was bad, but because it was so good; echoes of
barroom bravado I'm sure we've all been unfortunate enough to witness.
The fellow who played Prospero's brother had such an expressive face, if the part had no lines, he would not be disadvantaged!
He and his co-conspirator stole some of the scenes at times,
with their connivings.
Ariel was played with more personality than I've generally seen,
more as a tricksy sprite than an ethereal bit of fluff. And it
was good to watch. It's a good change to have a sympathetic
Caliban too. These two were VERY popular with the teenage girls
in the audience.
There was a very enthusiastic audience on Saturday night! People
were clapping every time there was a scene change, they were all
really enjoying it.
I'm glad I saw this production, I will probably think of more things to say about it, but it only has a couple of shows left,
so I thought I better say something about it before it dissappears.
Great performance from all!
Thanks folks!
-leece
Thou rank bat-fowling bugbear!
going to have to forgive me, the program is not with me, so
it's possible that I'm going to get names wrong, when I get them
at all.
And a big thank you to Glenn, I think it was, who so admired
the colour of my dress as I was getting programs.
With this play, I always have a pretty rock hard preconceived notion as to how the characters are played.
Well that all just went out the window!
I don't know about you, but Prospero to me generally comes across as a manipulative ascetic, not interested in worldly affairs. The redoubtable Stephen Lee gives us a jolly, earthly
dad who wants the best for his daughter. And by the Muses, it
works wonderfully!
I liked the pacing, it seemed to go very quickly, I was suprised
when it was over!
I really liked the stage work, they had some difficult and fast
costume changes which went flawlessly. Great costumes, and the scene where Ceres and Co are blessing the union was very, very
impressive.
The fog was just right for the eerie isle.
Neat props too - the banquet table was very impressive!
The Stephano/Trinculo/Caliban (I have got that right, haven't
I? Butler and Jester anyway) unholy alliance had me wincing,
not because it was bad, but because it was so good; echoes of
barroom bravado I'm sure we've all been unfortunate enough to witness.
The fellow who played Prospero's brother had such an expressive face, if the part had no lines, he would not be disadvantaged!
He and his co-conspirator stole some of the scenes at times,
with their connivings.
Ariel was played with more personality than I've generally seen,
more as a tricksy sprite than an ethereal bit of fluff. And it
was good to watch. It's a good change to have a sympathetic
Caliban too. These two were VERY popular with the teenage girls
in the audience.
There was a very enthusiastic audience on Saturday night! People
were clapping every time there was a scene change, they were all
really enjoying it.
I'm glad I saw this production, I will probably think of more things to say about it, but it only has a couple of shows left,
so I thought I better say something about it before it dissappears.
Great performance from all!
Thanks folks!
-leece
Thou rank bat-fowling bugbear!