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THE TEMPEST - 2008 Performance

There is something very, very special about performing at the Castle; no single thing ever quite prepares you for acting in such an awe-inspiring space. It matters not a jot whether you have performed there before or if it is your first time, being there helps breath life into not only the play, but the individual performances.
Which is why we always try to get up there at least three weeks before the 'curtain' goes up. And as the day draws ever nearer and the full cast are there watching and, hopefully, being inspired by what they see, you can feel the excitement and tension. It's what it's all about!

Where do you start, at the end of what seems like a lifetime, to describe the experience that was 'The Tempest'?

It was a year of 'firsts': the first time we had ever built a set like the one that you see on the left; the first time we have ever commissioned specially written music; the first time one of our leading actors had to sing, using a head mic, and sing very complex songs and, unfortunately, the first time that the weather had forced us to use our back-up venue in St. Petrox church.

I think, before we head down to the amazing pictures, a few 'thank-you's' would be in order:
To the audiences generally and, more specifically, those of you who sat through drizzle and downpour to support us, as well as those who came to the Saturday show and experienced, along with us, an entirely different perfermance in St. Petrox;
To the guys of Tower Scaffolding, who also worked through tipping rain, to construct the magnificent boat that featured so heavily in the production;
To all the people who gave of their time, talent and expertise, all for nothing, to make 'The Tempest' the undoubted success that it was;
The good folk at The Castle Cafe, who hung-in there, and plied people with hot chocolate and all manner of good things;
To Andrew Hollet, who designed the boat and built the special effect wind and rain machines;
AND
Anyone I may have forgotten - thank you from everyone in The Inn Theatre Company!

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©Keith Gould 2008

The Three Stages:
Design by Andrew
Build by Tower
Perform by The Inn Theatre Company

Any performance begins with rehearsals, and that seems to be an auspicious place to start our journey through the world that was 'The Tempest'. Here are just a few of the photographs that were taken of the rehearsal process and here you can get some idea of the transformations that take place over the course of a production.

And what a transformation! Gil Garland rehearsing on the left - and as Caliban above. Another costume triumph for Kelly & Jacquie of Ethera!

Katherine Lock was Ariel

Out of so many fine performances, many people commented upon the one given by the delightful Katherine Lock, ex of the National Youth Theatre. Of all the players, she had the most taxing of tasks to get to grips with; that of singing some beautiful, specially written songs, set in traditional Baroque form, by Mark Russell.
And didn't she look great?

©Keith Gould 2008

'The Tempest' is all too often seen as a dark, contemplative play; perhaps Shakespeare's last, subtle dig at colonialism and also as a farewell to the stage. And there is no doubt that it can be exactly that.
But there is the opportunity for much comedy and joy, spectacle and amazement; and the comedy in this production was given a new life by the three actors on the right.
Even though Caliban is a tragic figure, he too has his comic moments, albeit that the audience tends to laugh at him rather than with him.
Stephano and Trinculo lightened the mood the moment they appeared on stage - two more outstanding performances from this years production.

Gil Garland as Caliban; Jack Corrigall as Stephano & Nick Crosley as Trinculo - drinking up a storm!

Amazing what a wig can do!
Max Brandt, as Prospero, rehearsing -
and in a bad mood

The Tempest 2008 - The Story in Pictures

Prospero calls up The Tempest to exact his revenge upon his enemies and strand them on the Island

Ariel controls the Sea-Nymphs and disperses the Royal party about the Island

Having gathered his enemies, Prospero now tells his daughter, Miranda (Corrina MacIntosh), how they came to be stranded on the Island

Ferdinand (Mark Riley), is haunted by memories of his Father, who he thinks dead, as Ariel sings to him.

Having been re-united, and having met Caliban, Trinculo, Stephano and Caliban plot to kill Prospero and take over the Island

The Royal party search in vain for Ferdinand and are taunted by Ariel. Antonia (Prospero's sister) and Sebastian plot to kill Alonso and unite Milan and Naples

The Royal's: Gwen Teague (Antonia); Nick Teague (Alonso); Mike Roope (Gonzalo);
Colin Rowden (Adrian) and Ben Hamilton (Sebastian)

And all the while, Ariel keeps Prospero informed of what is happening. Prospero plans his revenge and taunts different groups

Prospero commands Ariel to present the Royal's with a table of food, which the Nymph's bring...

...then Ariel appears, in the guise of an Harpy, and tells the Royals that it was Prospero who has brought them here and stranded them, as they stranded him and his daughter. The Harpy tells Alonso he has lost his son and that Antonia and Sebastian are doomed forever

Prospero's plotting results in Miranda seeing Ferdinand for the first time...
and with them falling in love

In celebration of their betrothal, Prospero commands Ariel to bring forth Goddesses and Nymphs to dance and sing for the couple.

Caliban, Trinculo & Stephano come to kill Prospero; but he is forewarned and sets the Spirit Dogs on them as punishment.

Ariel persuades Prospero that the nobler course is forgiveness rather than revenge and Prospero's anger
'extends not a frown further'.

Prospero releases all his victims from his spell, forgives all and has his Dukedom restored by Alonso

The Mariners: Malcolm MacIntosh (you can't keep him away!); Nigel Way; Ryan Griffin;
Tom Wood; George O'Reilly; Mike Wood & Phil Scoble as the Boatswain

We have had SO many pictures taken by so many different people, that it would be impossible to put all of them up on the site. Keith Gould, our lovely Stage Manager Jenny's husband, took over 2,000 shots in the course of the production, only a tiny example of which are on display here. Many thanks to him!

We hope to have a DVD available in the not too distant future, not only of the entire production, but also one produced by Keith, of stills that will give an even greater flavour of what it is to be part of such a vibrant and enthusiastic bunch of people!

Below are some more photographs that, we hope, will also give you an idea of the work that Linda Goss & her Dancers put into the production and also a glimpse of the amazing costumes created by
Kelly & Jacquie Martinez of Ethera.

The Nymphs / Dogs who worked so hard with Lynne Deller to add so much to the performance. And look at the costumes!! Amazing yet again! Our hard working Spirits were: Tinah O'Reilly; Gay Brent; Paula Bell; Lesley Andrew; Fay Preston; Caroline Preston; Lucy Saad; Jojo Hollingworth; Heather Davenport; Louise Adams

Once again the Dancers were triumphant! Shaunagh Radcliffe; Elizabeth Lunn; Jackie Cleaves; Justine Toye; Alison Yalland; Gill Kidd; Sapphire Parkin; Sophie Griffiths; Savannah Clarke; Chloe Yelland; Jess Juggins; Eleanor Brock; Izzy Crosley; Zanna Lotto.
Also seen in the photo's are the Godesses; Gill Brock, Geogia Elson and Wendy Jones

updated 16/8/08