Review: The Tempest

Brisbane residents have much to be grateful for when it comes to the work of the 4MBS staff and volunteers. The 2023 production of The Tempest was not only a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a professional production of a popular Shakespearean play—and the team also managed to conjure a storm that appears to have broken our current drought, bringing much-needed rain to Roma Street Parklands! Fortunately the rain held off sufficiently for audiences to enjoy both shows without the need to sit under umbrellas (although the seating area will have been a little damp for the Sunday performance).

The Tempest is a tragic-comic story of shipwreck, betrayal, power, control, and magic. The former Duke of Milan and their daughter are exiled from their lands and ancestral home, residing on an Island and using magic to control the residents (including spirits, the powerful Ariel, and the ‘monster’ Caliban). Prospero conjures a tempest to bring foes and future friends onto the island, and the scene is set for a magical tale and a happy ending (well, happy for most).

Congratulations to Xanthe Jones (Director and Costume Designer) for creating a Tempest that featured some glorious costumes, and which was a light-hearted romp suitable for a family early-evening show. The set worked well (Pro-Stage Queensland), lighting & sound was effective (Vast AV), and the comic duo of Stephano & Trinculo (Paul Adams and Liam Wallis) had some members of the audience in fits of giggles. Each of the members of the hardworking cast are to be commended. I particularly enjoyed the performances of Brigitte Freeme (a compelling Ariel) and Andrew Hearle (Caliban)—who probably also had my favourite costumes of this production. I look forward to seeing future work by these talented actors.

In this production, Shakespeare’s Ariel and Prospero are both cast and framed as female, with references to Prospera (Louise Brehmer) as the mother of Miranda (Ruby Gudenswager), and who is served by Ariel (Brigitte Freeme). This recasting offers an interesting perspective on the story, presenting the usurper as a brother who has seized the property and titles of his sister. I would have liked this production to have brought out more of the darkness of the tale, and perhaps a greater emphasis on the fury of the exiled Prospero. However, Brehmer’s portrayal of Propsera did ensure that the relatively speedy agreement to the marriage of the impressively besotted Miranda and Ferdinand (Alex Swanston) was particularly believable. And my favourite moment of the whole show was the Act 5 excahnge between Ariel and Propsera (‘Your magic has affected them so deeply that if you saw them now, you’d feel bad for them,’ ‘Dost thou think so, spirit?’, ‘Mine would, were I human,’ ‘And mine shall’). The actors and Director brought a real poignancy to the moment in a way that I have not experienced before.

The Roma Street Amphitheatre is a great space for performers and audience alike. Ticket-holders who have been to many of these special 4MBS events know to arrive early, in order to select their seating area of choice, and also to enjoy the extensive pre-show program—which this year included a Shakespearean language talk, facepainting, a Prima Spada swordplay demonstration, and roving entertainers. Introducing the event on Saturday 4 November, Gary Thorpe OAM (the hard-working 4MBS General Manager) noted that in 2024 none of the major theatre companies would be including Shakespeare plays in their programming. So I suggest ‘following’ 4MBS now to ensure you don’t miss out on the 18th 4MBS Shakespeare Festival—as it is likely to be one of the only ways to enjoy the Bard’s work in 2024.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Andrew Hearle (Caliban), with the comic duo of Paul Adams and Liam Wallis (Stephano & Trinculo), *The Tempest* (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)

Audience Information: The reviewer attended the Saturday 4th November 2023 performance, held in Roma Street Parkland. The 17th 4MBS Shakespearean Festival included two performances of The Tempest (4-5 November). Child, tertiary student, and companion tickets were free (pre-booked ‘free’ tickets attracted a $1.25 per person booking fee), with a $16.50 charge for adult tickets (including the $1.25 booking fee).

Pictures Credit: Creative Futures Photography.

Geoff Lawrence