The Tempest
Wed, 6 Mar 2013, 09:16 amGordon the Optom1 post in thread
The Tempest
Wed, 6 Mar 2013, 09:16 am‘The Tempest’ penned by the Bard of Avon, old William Shakespeare himself. This contemporary adaptation by the cast is being presented by the Hayman Theatre Company, in the intimate Upstairs Theatre, Hayman Theatre, building 102 (near car park B12) at Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley.
Start time for this two-hour play is at the early time of 7.00 pm. Performances run until Saturday 9th March.
An open stage shows Dylan Searle’s set design of a pale blue back wall with modern art relief on the surface. There are patches of sand and grassed area with a flower trellis on the left. Jack Middleton’s props included a long plank suspended from the ceiling and on it are numerous bottles of potions and liquor. A large number of daggers had to be found for the actors.
A radio announcement tells how, due climate changes, the sea levels are rising and that a tsunami is expected in the Milan / Naples region. The storm arrives, and the small raft carrying the distraught ex-Duchess, Prospera (Brittany Young) and her daughter Miranda (Savannah Wood) is caught in the rough waters and wrecked. Convinced that she is to be murdered and that her title will be taken over by her enemies, Prospera is desperate to find a loving, caring husband for her daughter.
The raft lands on an island where the incredibly smelly and sun blistered, diseased looking Caliban (Stephen East - exceptional) lives.
Following Prospera is Ariel (Tessa Carmody), a sprite, who was saved by Prospera and has therefore dedicated her life to the Duchess’s service. Ariel takes a small fish tank containing a paper model boat, she creates a storm. This is reflected in the real weather and Prospera’s vile sister, Antonia (Catherine Bonny) and her troublesome friend Queen Alonsa of Naples (Mary Soudi) the instigator of Prospera’s banishment become wrecked on the same island. Also cast onto the shore were Alonsa’s brother, Sebastian (Amy Johnston) who wants to become the new King and Prospera’s old friend, Francesca (Georgina Cramond). As they party, Caliban and his two drunken stewards, Stefana (Natasha Kayser) and Trincula (Tanaya Harper), find them on the beach.
On the other side of the island, Miranda finds the handsome Prince Ferdinand (Danen Engelenberg) who has been alone for years, is hearing voices and on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
This classic is known for its magical feel and the cast carry out several conjuring tricks with aplomb, blending them into the script. Prospera and Ariel sing a beautiful madrigal in perfect pitch. Ariel whistles and purrs her magic around the set. Francesca plays her flute to a keyboard accompaniment from one of the evil spirits (Stephen East), as the other black-cloaked evil spirits dance around. The overall effect was well developed and enthralling.
The well-made costumes (Jacinta Grando) were varied and a selection of quality papier-mâché masks employed for several characters.
The lighting by Jesse Daniels was complex, inventive and perfectly operated. The sound effects (Peter Townsend) were crisp and delivered with no clipped endings. Peter used a great deal of reverberation and echo to very effectively create the desolation of the island and Ariel’s whispering sounds. Excellent sound design.
There were numerous minor props and magical effects used throughout the play, and all worked well, thanks to good stage management by Angela La Macchia’s team.
Michael McCall’s direction was lively and filled with movement, giving the whole play a powerful energy rather than the passive romantic mood sometimes wrongly given to this play. The scene with Caliban being found on the beach was hilarious with good rapport.
The players’ delivery was very good, well paced and transferred the multifaceted storyline to the audience with clarity.
It was opening night and one actress tended to gabble, with a pitch that even dogs may struggle to hear, although in the end she was more relaxed and her acting skills shone through. Shakespeare needs to be delivered slowly, clearly and with precision in the diction – well done Brittany Young and Tessa Carmody.
A most enjoyable production of a difficult play. If this is on your school curriculum then what better way to understand and learn the play? Thoroughly enjoyed by the full house.
‘The Tempest’ penned by the Bard of Avon, old William Shakespeare himself. This contemporary adaptation by the cast is being presented by the Hayman Theatre Company, in the intimate Upstairs Theatre, Hayman Theatre, building 102 (near car park B12) at Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley.
Start time for this two-hour play is at the early time of 7.00 pm. Performances run until Saturday 9th March.
An open stage shows Dylan Searle’s set design of a pale blue back wall with modern art relief on the surface. There are patches of sand and grassed area with a flower trellis on the left. Jack Middleton’s props included a long plank suspended from the ceiling and on it are numerous bottles of potions and liquor. A large number of daggers had to be found for the actors.
A radio announcement tells how, due climate changes, the sea levels are rising and that a tsunami is expected in the Milan / Naples region. The storm arrives, and the small raft carrying the distraught ex-Duchess, Prospera (Brittany Young) and her daughter Miranda (Savannah Wood) is caught in the rough waters and wrecked. Convinced that she is to be murdered and that her title will be taken over by her enemies, Prospera is desperate to find a loving, caring husband for her daughter.
The raft lands on an island where the incredibly smelly and sun blistered, diseased looking Caliban (Stephen East - exceptional) lives.
Following Prospera is Ariel (Tessa Carmody), a sprite, who was saved by Prospera and has therefore dedicated her life to the Duchess’s service. Ariel takes a small fish tank containing a paper model boat, she creates a storm. This is reflected in the real weather and Prospera’s vile sister, Antonia (Catherine Bonny) and her troublesome friend Queen Alonsa of Naples (Mary Soudi) the instigator of Prospera’s banishment become wrecked on the same island. Also cast onto the shore were Alonsa’s brother, Sebastian (Amy Johnston) who wants to become the new King and Prospera’s old friend, Francesca (Georgina Cramond). As they party, Caliban and his two drunken stewards, Stefana (Natasha Kayser) and Trincula (Tanaya Harper), find them on the beach.
On the other side of the island, Miranda finds the handsome Prince Ferdinand (Danen Engelenberg) who has been alone for years, is hearing voices and on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
This classic is known for its magical feel and the cast carry out several conjuring tricks with aplomb, blending them into the script. Prospera and Ariel sing a beautiful madrigal in perfect pitch. Ariel whistles and purrs her magic around the set. Francesca plays her flute to a keyboard accompaniment from one of the evil spirits (Stephen East), as the other black-cloaked evil spirits dance around. The overall effect was well developed and enthralling.
The well-made costumes (Jacinta Grando) were varied and a selection of quality papier-mâché masks employed for several characters.
The lighting by Jesse Daniels was complex, inventive and perfectly operated. The sound effects (Peter Townsend) were crisp and delivered with no clipped endings. Peter used a great deal of reverberation and echo to very effectively create the desolation of the island and Ariel’s whispering sounds. Excellent sound design.
There were numerous minor props and magical effects used throughout the play, and all worked well, thanks to good stage management by Angela La Macchia’s team.
Michael McCall’s direction was lively and filled with movement, giving the whole play a powerful energy rather than the passive romantic mood sometimes wrongly given to this play. The scene with Caliban being found on the beach was hilarious with good rapport.
The players’ delivery was very good, well paced and transferred the multifaceted storyline to the audience with clarity.
It was opening night and one actress tended to gabble, with a pitch that even dogs may struggle to hear, although in the end she was more relaxed and her acting skills shone through. Shakespeare needs to be delivered slowly, clearly and with precision in the diction – well done Brittany Young and Tessa Carmody.
A most enjoyable production of a difficult play. If this is on your school curriculum then what better way to understand and learn the play? Thoroughly enjoyed by the full house.