TEMPEST till 14 March.
TEMPEST: William Shakespeare.
RSC, Courtyard, Stratford Upon Avon, with Baxter Theatre Centre.
Runs: 2h 20, one interval, till Saturday 14 March.
Review: Rod Dungate, 27 February 2009.
Unusual, thrilling.
This is a most beautiful production. A joint production between the RSC and South African Baxter Theatre Centre, it’s enriched by its South African and Zulu cultural setting. With great ease the production combines magic, ritual, joy, love and power; it also becomes, without for a moment stretching a point, a statement about a country freeing itself from a usurping culture and becoming itself. The last element strikingly stated in the production’s final moment. However, as Prospero actor (Antony Sher and Caliban actor (John Kani) take their curtain call together, hand in hand, we understand that creative, cultural partnership is the only way forward for our world.
The production is much more than what it looks like. But the visual impact is incredibly powerful – designs by Illka Louw. Director Janice Honeyman has peopled the island with spirits; they are constantly present, making manifest the feeling of enchantment. These, combined with the Zulu painted Ariel enable us to share for two and a half hours an alien world with an almost painful immediacy. We share this with Prospero; we are allowed into the world, but we are never part of it. We feel honoured to be there. A remarkable achievement.
Antony Sher creates a very human Prospero. He is not a commanding wizard, but a man enjoying being master of his temporary power while, at the same time, being a servant of it. He could well relax a little in the opening scenes, which are hit too hard. But as he moves through the play he soars and plummets, taking us on a thrilling journey. The masque conjured for Miranda and Ferdinand is so exciting in this production that you long for it to last for hours. Sher senses this and when he breaks it off, sharing his sudden realisation of his own mortality, a heart-rending emptiness hovers.
Atandwa Kani creates an Ariel very much part of the world around us, rather than ‘of the air’; at times childlike, at times powerful he is Prospero’s partner. Their relationship is excitingly edgy. The production is full of memorable images, but non more so than when Prospero washes Ariel’s magic markings from his body, cleansing and liberating him in these simple actions.
It’s shocking to see the dignified John Kani creating Caliban – simply and quietly. Such a portrayal doesn’t allow the production easy answers, but it is a vital part of Honeyman’s production’s steely axis.
Prospero: Antony Sher.
Miranda: Tinarie Van Wyk Loots.
Alonso: Jeremy Critchley.
Sebastian: Nicholas Pauling.
Antonio: Lionel Newton.
Ferdinand: Charlie Keegan.
Gonzalo: Ivan Abraham.
Adrian: Royston Stoffels.
Trinculo: Wayne Van Rooyen.
Stephano: Elton Landrew.
Master of a Shi: Omphile Molusi.
Boatswain: Thami Mbongo.
Caliban: John Kani.
Ariel: Atandwa Kani.
Spirits / Puppeteers: Nkosinathi Gaar, Alex Halligey, Thami Mbongo, Omphile Molusi, Chuma Sopotela, Michael Inglis, Tom Andrews.
Directed by: Janice Honeyman.
Designed by: Illka Louw.
Lighting Designed by: Manni Manim.
Music Direction, Composition and Sound Design by: Neo Muyanga.
Puppetry: Janni Younge.
Choreography: Christopher Kindo.
Assistant Director: Luke Ellenbogen.
Voice Coach: Lyn Darley.
2009-03-01 14:21:56