The Globe’s summer show ‘The Tempest’ is a pantomime equivalent for these sunnier months. From the budgie smuggler-clad Prospero, to the fools of the play (Stefano and Trinculo), there is a lot of buffoonery. This makes for a good laugh and some genuine fun. Though it risks getting lost in the slapstick and missing the relational punch that Shakespeare’s script brings, writes Hannah Kelly.
Rachel Hannah Clarke was a particular highlight for me. Her portrayal of Ariel was powerful, joyful, witty and yet emotive – the longing for freedom made tangible. Ralph Davis and George Fouracres were also priceless as Stefano and Trinculo. They were able to own the stage and the crowd, drawing in the biggest laughs with their easy humour. Ciaran O’Brien’s Caliban was particularly wonderful, a little less monster, a little more human. He and Clarke as Ariel have compassionate portrayals of their enslaved characters, thus revealing the problematic darker side of Prospero’s use of them both for his own ends
Costumes were excellent and the appearance of a Harry Potter dress-up cameo was a crowd pleaser. The music was also perfectly timed and created the mysterious, magical, island atmosphere that is at the centre of the play. These elements, along with the stage design, complimented one another brilliantly to sell the tempest setting – though again the sense of true magic felt a little lacking in the ‘bad-island-bar’ feel of the set.
Though I enjoyed the humour and found the play easy to watch, it was harder to believe the relational connections between the characters. Neither the love scenes nor the reunion between estranged brothers felt particularly emotionally charged. This meant that by the end of the play it felt like something had been missing. On the whole, this production of the Tempest is fun and a light laugh for a less emotionally charged evening.
The Globe, Bankside, SE1 9DT until 22nd October. Times: Varied, see website for details. Admission: £5 – £62.
Booking: www.shakespearesglobe.com – 020 7401 9919
