Report from Sofia B & Charlotte B

This Spring Term, Year 12 English Literature students had the privilege of watching ‘The Tempest’ directed by British theatre actor and writer Tim Crouch. This tale of power and freedom, forgiveness and revenge was even more enjoyable as it took place in the beautiful and intimate Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe. Performed in this candlelit theatre, the play was powerful and moving, and the students had the chance to sit in the front stalls.

The play was told imaginatively with four lost souls stranded on an island, with Tim Crouch playing Prospero himself. The Year 12s were fully immersed into this quirky metatheatrical re-telling as characters emerged from the audience, breaking the fourth wall and engaging with the viewers and each other at the same time. One of the students particularly enjoyed this choice and found that it allowed the characters to exit the scene rather than remain on the stage as shadows.

As the lost souls repeated their story in an endless litany, other characters were conjured from the audience in a sort of necromantic ritual. This created a clear separation between the lost souls and the other characters until they reunited in the last scenes of the play.

The play was accompanied by a beautiful acapella duet composed by Orlando Gough. Emma Bonnici and Victoria Couper moved through the audience contributing to the haunting atmosphere of the ritual and to the comedic relief of the metatheatrical scenes.

Ultimately, ‘The Tempest’ was a fresh yet accurate spin on a classic of English Literature. The Year 12 students thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it as a must-see for anyone who thinks they know this Shakespearean classic.