No. 1 Fringe Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Resident company of the Attic Thatre
Tread the Boards Theatre Company present William Shakespeare’s late comedy ‘The Tempest’. Prospero a powerful magician is exiled on an island with his daughter Miranda. He enslaves Ariel a magical sprite and the monster Caliban to do his bidding. But everything changes when a ship is wrecked off the coast and the survivors come ashore.
Elementary What's On
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.
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 (Nic 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.
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.
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.
The Attic Theatre is accessible via two flights of stairs or a lift and is suitable for wheelchair users. Please see the seating plan before making a booking to book the most suitable seats. Please notify us when you make your booking if you require wheelchair access. For more information on access please visit the AccessAble website.
