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Sound and light fully animate The Tempest’s mystical island.

  • Writer: Charles Essex
    Charles Essex
  • 1 day ago
  • 2 min read

 

Sarah Feltham as Prospero. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography
Sarah Feltham as Prospero. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography

The Tempest, at The Attic Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, from 3 - 26 April 2025. A Tread the Boards production. Directed by Matilda Bott.

Review by Charles Essex.

  

The Tempest at The Attic starts in full darkness, as a raging storm shipwrecks the boat of the those who had betrayed Prosepra (Sarah Feltham) and condemned her and her daughter Miranda (Emily Tietz) to a desert island. Confused and panicked shouts of the crew reinforce the blind mayhem, setting the scene for a tale of revenge, plotting and eventually forgiveness and reconciliation.


Emily Tietz as Miranda and Matt Rousseau as Ferdinand. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography
Emily Tietz as Miranda and Matt Rousseau as Ferdinand. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography

 Director Matilda Bott, who has herself taken many roles in Tread The Board’s productions, decided to cast some roles in different genders, and the production was not diminished by it in any way. Prospera had studied magic whilst in exile and Sarah conveyed her ruthlessness as she controlled a spirit Ariel (Nicole Rainford) and Caliban (George Ormerod), her slave. Nicole gave a wonderful performance, hyperactive as she bounced around the stage and with a superb voice as she sang at various times throughout the play. George’s makeup was extraordinary as he hobbled around the stage, venomously communicating the hatred he had for his mistress.

 

Prospera separated Alonso the king of Naples (Edward Manning) from his son Ferdinand (Matt Rouseau) so that each was tormented by the thought that the other was dead.  Prospera caused Ferdinand and Miranda to fall in love, which Matt and Emily expressed with a gentle affection.


Emmeline Braefield as Trinculo and Rob Keeves as Stephano. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography
Emmeline Braefield as Trinculo and Rob Keeves as Stephano. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography

Prospera had been betrayed by her power-hungry brother Antonio (Pete Meredith), who was also washed up on the island.  Pete cut a believable villainous figure as he plotted with Sebastien, Alonso’s sister, to murder Alonso whilst they were on the desert island so he could control an even greater kingdom.  With Ariel’s energetic assistance, Prospera thwarted Antonio and Sebastien.

 

Shakespeare’s inevitable comic characters added an appropriately light touch, as they were intended to do.  Rob Keeves was the wild haired Stephano, who got increasingly drunk with Trinculo (Emmeline Braefield).  Their exploits with Caliban, who was desperate to escape Prospera’s control, garnered laughs.  The sea shanty and choreography with all the cast were particularly well done.


George Ormerod as Caliban. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography
George Ormerod as Caliban. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography

The scenes when several cast members appeared as spirits weaving around the speaking cast gave an interesting twist to the production.  Crew members Olivia Holmes and Kat Murray used sound and light, respectively, to enhance the production and once again enabled Tread The Boards to deliver a first rate performance in the intimate Attic Theatre.

 



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