The Tempest (First Encounters Shakespeare For Younger Audiences)

I applaud RSC and director Aaron Parsons for their mission to introduce Shakespeare to young people aged 7-13 and their families, many of whom will not have experienced live theatre before, except perhaps for panto. Aaron used an edited version of the original play of The Tempest, which is currently on tour in the UK.

RSC has an impressive history of educational outreach in schools, making Shakespeare accessible to young people. As an English and drama teacher, I was privileged to participate in the RSC’s Complete Works festival in 2006-2007, directing an abridged 30-minute version of The Tempest written by Tom Stoppard, with volunteer pupils aged between 12 and 15 years. We all learnt so much from working on the play and being supported by excellent, inspirational workshops run by RSC actors.

I attended the morning performance of The Tempest on February 25th, along with my eight-year-old grandson and many York schoolchildren. The young audience loved the pre-show interactive antics featuring playing with sounds. Composer and sound designer Jack Drewry’s music added to the sense of magic and enchantment throughout the play.

Act 1 Scene 1 is renowned for the storm scene conjured up by Prospero, but as the ship’s company jumped overboard crying those immortal lines, “We split, we split, we split!” It wasn’t at all clear to the youngsters around me that the company had been on a ship—a real shame, as that’s such a wonderfully dramatic opening scene. Perhaps Carla Garratt’s absence in the scene (she usually played Ariel but due to injury was replaced at short notice by actor Conor Glean) impacted the opening scene we all saw that morning?

Peter Moreton gave a powerful performance throughout as Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, with Scout Worsley portraying his daughter Miranda wonderfully, capturing her sweet innocence, particularly on seeing Ferdinand (Garon Akbar Clark), the first man she had laid eyes on other than her father, and later on in the play when she sees the nobles gathered, “O brave new world, that has such people in it!”

The set and costumes designed by Aldo Vazquez were a joy to behold and were carefully considered to be practical as well as eye-catching; cunning Sebastian, for example, brilliantly played by Kiren Kebaili-Dwyer, with the blink of an eye, lost his bright pink sleeves and suddenly became an equally credible drunken Butler Stephano. Isabella Marshall looked fabulous in her noble costume as Alonso (Queen, rather than King of Naples), then quickly and cleverly discarded some of it and morphed into hapless Trinculo, much to the delight of the audience in the comic scene between The Three Fools (Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo). Rachel Winters was most convincing as conniving Antonio, the usurping Duke of Milan, in this case, sister rather than brother to Prospero. That’s fine, but both Antonio and Alonso were addressed as “Sir" and “Lord” throughout, which was rather confusing.

Shakeel Haakim brought out Caliban’s inner strength as he dealt with Prospero’s harsh dealings with dignity, yet also brought a joyful playfulness to his character as he frolicked with Stephano and Trinculo, relishing his chance to be free at last. I loved the positive ending and powerful message when Caliban finally cast off his shackles. Forgiveness aided him to be truly free at last, to enjoy the island …full of sounds and sweet airs that give delight...” he loved so much.

At 90 minutes long, the play could benefit from shedding 15 minutes to avoid not-so-subtle shuffling from a young audience, but on the whole, it is a most engaging introduction to Shakespeare

The Tempest (First Encounters Shakespeare For Younger Audiences) Age 7+
York Theatre Royal on tour until May 2025
Read more about it here: In-Conversation-Aaron-Parsons
And for tour venues click here