IT'S a case of sad
goodbyes at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the moment. Not only is
the last of the season's "late" Shakespeare plays, The
Tempest, being performed on the bijou stage but it's also Dominic
Dromgoole's swansong. After 10 years as the Globe's artistic director
he's setting sail and off to pastures new - much like Prospero in the
play he's retiring from the fray and handing things on to the next
generation.
But enough of the sad
stuff, this is a production oozing with humour, beautifully staged
and totally magical.
In fact it is a joyous
experience and the sense of fun that is part of Dromgoole's
personality is very much to the fore as the play comes alive in the
small space.
Right from the off,
drums crash and pound in the gallery above signifying the storm which
wrecks the ship carrying Prospero's brother Antonio onto the island
on which Prospero found himself and raised his daughter Miranda.
Here they live with the
spirit Ariel and Prospero's slave Caliban who lives in a prison under
the stage.
With all the candles
and live music it's an extremely atmospheric and intimate production.
The cast was excellent
notably Phoebe Pryce as Miranda, Fisayo Akinade’s Caliban and a
stunning performance by Pippa Nixon as the etherial and suitably
spirited Ariel.
The drunken and rowdy
clowning around by Trevor Fox as Stephano and Dominic Rowan as
Trinculo was a highlight particularly Trinculo's generous ad libbing.
But it was the central
performance by Tim McMullan as Prospero that was the real stunner and
so fantastic to see him in such a prominant role.
Pure magic.
The Tempest is at the
Sam Wanamaker Playerhouse, Bankside, until April 22. Visit
www.shakespearesglobe.com for full listings
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