Details

Prospero, Duke of Milan, his dukedom usurped by his brother Antonio, is put to sea with his daughter Miranda and some magical books smuggled in by his loyal councillor Gonzalo. The sea casts them up on an island where Prospero, exercising his magical powers, makes a home for himself and Miranda. One day a great storm, which Prospero has conjured, breaks up a passing ship and delivers to him the members of his usurping court. Treacherous brother, fellow conspirators and old friend alike come under Prospero's spell. Shakespeare's last play. Usurped by her scheming sister Antonia, Prospera the rightful Duchess of Milan and her son Mirundo must face a lifetime of exile when they are abandoned on an island filled with strange and mystical creatures. Years later, the Queen's luxury yacht is caught in a storm and the Queen, Antonia, and all the passengers are cast ashore on the island and into the hands of fate - a chance for Prospera to exact retribution or to grant forgiveness... Ant Theatre presents a bold gender-reversed interpretation of The Tempest. Set in a world where women hold the positions of authority and a young man embodies the virtue of innocence, does this alternative version give us a better understanding of the relationships between the sexes? If Shakespeare wrote The Tempest today, would he have set it in a world with women in positions of power? A modern version for our times on a story centuries old.

Cast/Performers

Cesca Martin, Clare Kenton, Clare-Louise English, Hanna Thor-Finch, Heidi-Ann Frick, Holly Thurman, Laura Beck, Louise Lee, Mellony Carr, Roanna Cochrane, Sarah Balding, Sarah Strong, Tom Mitchell

Creatives/Company

Author: Shakespeare
Producer: Saskia de Vos (associate producer)
Company: Ant Theatre Company
Director(s): Simon Beyer, Caroline J Turner (assistant)