The Tempest, large cast
posted by Larisa at 9:49 PM
Oct 31, 2023
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6 Comments:
Not as big of a cast as you might think for Shakespeare. A lot of opportunities for creativity with the fantasy elements. It is not as funny as some other Shakespeare comedies, but I also think it can be cut to a really nice, snappy pace. The right director could make this a fantastic production.
Tempest is a classic and a crowd-draw. It meets our requirement for a classic comedy (albeit sort of a tragi-comedy). I think this could fit well with our season but I would also consider other options as our classic comedy, if we found something we liked more.
The Tempest is fine, but so is King Lear which is still in the running. I'd go along with whatever the committee decides.
The Tempest is one of the plays that disturbs me more and more every time I encounter it. It certainly isn't helped by the fact that every production of the play I have seen in the last 30 years has been abysmal, including two at the Guthrie. And in light of the heightened sensitivity to social issues that our committee has demonstrated in recent years and the social dynamics of many of the scripts we read, I am surprised that this play isn't raising more hackles.
I do not see The Tempest as a comedy. It certainly has some comedic elements, but at its heart it is incredibly dark. It is about revenge. Although Prospero was wronged when he was banished with his small daughter, he has chosen to respond with viciousness and vengeance. He uses his supernatural powers primarily for ill will, imprisons and enslaves Caliban and Ariel, he shipwrecks innocent people and tortures them. He mistreats his daughter Miranda by allowing her to be victimized by Caliban, and then she becomes a pawn in his revenge plot. Yes, Prospero may redeem himself in the end, but it doesn't forgive his previous brutality. The only female character in the play is Miranda, and while gender neutral and non-binary casting is always an option (which in itself can create some paradoxes), it doesn't address the issue of the presentation of the character of Miranda as really nothing more than weak and submissive; a victim of patriarchal power.
I think we need to be cautious of setting double standards as a committee. This play is full of social dynamics that would rankle in other scripts. Likewise, when I recommended "Harvey" there was push back from some committee members because of Elwood's enjoyment of the occasional beer and concern that we may appear to be promoting alcoholism. In the Tempest, much of the comedy centers around the inebriation of Trinculo and Stephano. Is this more acceptable because it's a play by Shakespeare?
Sorry, if I'm on a bit of a rant here. Just in that kind of mood today.
If we wish to do Shakespeare, I would prefer continuing to consider King Lear.
The most challenging elements would be A.) staging the storm, B.) managing so many actors/characters, and C.) the language. But, I think all those challenges are manageable. TRP has done this play before.
I think it’s a great piece that provides a lot of artists an opportunity to shine. The play gives directors and designers the ability to be very creative. It only really needs one scene change (from the ship to the island). It would need an intimacy coach and a fight choreographer.
Howard: Classic late Shakespeare - Interesting story - love, hate, revenge, magic, slavery, freedom - It would be a good Shakespeare option.
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