(PR/Gifted)
All aboard!
Shakespeare, a historic ship and a shipwreck. What could possibly go wrong? The Tempest sets sail aboard the Golden Hinde in Rebekah King’s immersive adaptation, part of the Totally Thames Festival. With Ariel as our guide, we are thrown straight into Shakespeare’s world – quite literally. We experience Shakespeare’s story from the spirit’s perspective and become less of an audience and more of a crew caught up in the chaos.
All hands-on deck
Just six performers multirole their way through the story, so there is a lot to juggle – but they make it look remarkably effortless.
Hadrian Conyngham is a particular standout, bringing an ease and athletic physicality to his performance. His movement around the ship really adds to the immersive experience.
Cassandra Wilson is equally memorable as Ariel, bringing plenty of mischief and energy to the spirit guiding us through the chaos.
Ship shape
The Golden Hinde is, of course, the main character. It is the perfect setting for The Tempest.
Its cramped wooden decks instantly create the maritime atmosphere. We were able to move through the ship with the performers as the story unfolded which was such a unique opportunity too. It made the show even more immersive.
The ship slowly becomes a character itself and makes the entire experience wonderfully immediate.
Slightly lost at sea
Sometimes, the fast pace and the actors playing different roles can make things a little difficult to follow, especially if you are unfamiliar with the original Shakespearean story.
Final Thoughts: Worth getting on board.
This adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic is highly imaginative. The Golden Hinde provides the perfect maritime setting and allows the audience to completely immerse themselves into the world of The Tempest. Condensing the play into an immersive production with just six performers is no small achievement, but in doing so, it may leave you a little lost at sea every now and then. However, ultimately, it is an atmospheric and very entertaining way to experience The Tempest.
Written by Helena Featherstone
Photo by Julian Guidera
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