Having directed over a
dozen Shakespeare plays I must admit TEMPEST
is my favorite. Prospero, a cruelly exiled Duke, has lived for 12 years on a
magical island with his now beautiful daughter, Miranda. With his knowledge of sorcery, and
power over the island spirits, he is able to summon up a storm that delivers
his enemies to his shore.
He plans to revenge himself on the murderers, and punish
the fools, but among them is one kind-hearted soul and an innocent boy. This
knowledge stays his hand.
In this play Shakespeare
himself, after stories of intrigues, murders, passions and tragedies, sums up
his life and work with a final message. As David Melville, ISC managing
director says, “He was very conscious of
his own approaching mortality and his retirement from the stage. The Globe was
his little island where he led the narrative and created all these fantastic
characters, so when Prospero breaks his staff, it’s akin to Shakespeare putting
away his quill. Ultimately it’s a play about forgiveness, one of the most
powerful things to experience in life and on stage.”
It’s a family-friendly
play, full of magic and spirits, with many fantastical elements, a number of great
clowns, a romantic story of young love, and a happy ending. Directed by Matthew
Earnest, with Thom Rivera as Prospero.
Outdoors at the Old Zoo in
Griffith Park. Free parking. It’s an uphill walk to the theater so call if you
need a ride. Bring chairs or blanket, older children are welcome, but dress in
layers as it gets chilly later. Information (818) 710-6306 or www.iscla.org
Photo by Mike Ditz. Book published by Shakespeare, Inc.
Also covered
in the August issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
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