Shakespeare In The Park 2015: The Tempest
PUBLISHED April 20th, 2015 10:00 pm | UPDATED June 9th, 2020 08:31 pm
Singapore Repertory Theatre’s (SRT) Shakespeare in the Park season – a highly anticipated annual event of Singapore’s arts and cultural calendar – returns to Fort Canning Park from April 29th – May 24th 2015 with a stunning production of The Tempest. With lavish sets by an impressive creative team and seasoned cast, SRT’s Shakespeare in the Park outdoes itself every year to bring you a world class outdoor theatre experience at affordable prices.
‘The Tempest is Shakespeare at his magical, musical, spectacular, profoundest best. It is about every single one of us and the paths we take in life but expressed in sheer theatricality so we are swept away in a journey of the spirits which is entertainment in its true sense. Quite simply, Shakespeare is the greatest writer ever because he combines a profound understanding of human beings and their psyches and a wonderful theatricality which means great entertainment,’ says director Braham Murray, OBE and one of the founding Artistic Directors of The Royal Exchange in Manchester.
Director Braham Murray at The Tempest’s first reading
This year’s production will be the grandest to date, with the tallest set ever built in Singapore. An impressive creative team has been assembled from around the world including: Simon Higlett (Production Designer – TMA Awards for Best Design, Elizabeth Rex and Three Sisters), Gabriel Chan (Lighting Designer), Tayo Akinbode (Composer – Musical Director, Julius Caesar, Royal Shakespeare Company) and Mike Walker (Sound Designer – Olivier Award for Best Sound Design, Jerry Springer – The Opera). The cast features British actor, Simon Robson, who is also a playwright and novelist, as Prospero. Other cast members include Julie Wee as Miranda and Tim Wan as Ferdinand.
SRT’s Artistic Director Gaurav Kripalani tells us why this annual staging of Shakespeare’s work is worth it: ‘When I was little, my parents took my sister and I to Stratford-Upon-Avon to visit the home of Shakespeare. For a kid who loved theatre, this was the ultimate pilgrimage. But the most memorable thing for me was my parents taking us to watch my first Shakespeare play. It was then that I finally understood why his plays are still performed, 450 years on. If SRT, with our investment staging Shakespeare in the Park annually, can give audiences that kind of magical epiphany, all our hard work will be worth it.’
The crowd at Shakespeare in the Park 2013, Othello
“Our revels now are ended… this rough magic I here abjure…”
Was Shakespeare hinting at the end of his own magnificent career in these and other lines spoken by the great magician, Prospero? The Tempest was the last of Shakespeare’s dark comedies, completed just before he retired to his native Stratford-upon-Avon. Perhaps this play was intended to signal the playwright’s farewell to his beloved theater? Most literary historians agree that The Tempest was written in 1610 or 1611, about five years before his death.
When the play begins, Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, and his teenage daughter, Miranda, live on a remote island where they have been stranded for the past twelve years. Their only companions are the enslaved Ariel (a magical spirit) and Caliban, a native of the island. Prospero was originally Duke of Milan, but his position was usurped by his brother Antonio, possibly with the consent of King Alonso of Naples and Alonso’s brother Sebastian.
Featuring Julie Wee as Miranda
The play opens with Antonio, Alonso, and several of their retainers on a ship in a great storm (the titular tempest). Unbeknownst to them, the storm is the work of Prospero, who aims to shipwreck them on his island. Once they are washed ashore, Prospero plans to take revenge on his foes and regain his position as Duke of Milan.
Eventually, through magic, intimidation, and trickery, Prospero succeeds in his plans. Prospero is restored to his dukedom; brings about the revelation of Antonio’s betrayal; and secures the marriage of Miranda to King Alonso’s son, Prince Ferdinand.
Audiences around the world are always enthralled by The Tempest’s dark comedy and magical fantasy. So, come and immerse yourself in the magic of The Tempest: a world of shipwrecks, nymphs, monsters, illusion, love and family. Bring your picnics and your families and get drawn into Prospero’s world of sorcery and magic where nothing is what it seems.
The Tempest will be performed Wednesday through Sunday from 29th April with dedicated student nights on Fridays. The gates will open at 6.30pm for those who wish to choose their favourite spot to picnic. Performances commence at 7.30pm. For more information and tickets, please see SISTIC.
