A play directors notes of the Shakespeare play The Tempest.
Answers
Our production of Shakespeare’s 'The Tempest', was probably the most ambitious Knole Academy play to date. Falling loosely into the tragi-comedy genre, its story centres on revenge and forgiveness. Many scholars think that the main character, the magician and one-time King of Milan, Prospero, is Shakespeare himself, weaving the playwright’s magic, manipulating the plot. It is a massive part to play: one which both our actors playing Prospero and Prospera (we had a double cast for some main characters) rose to the challenge and brought off with originality and flair.
Our production was set about 50 years in the future, where dystopian Steampunk rules: Western society – as represented by the shipwrecked nobles - has stopped developing under self-seeking rulers and is re-constituted from the past. As a result, our island is awash with the world’s detritus in which both light and dark ‘rubbish’ amass: Prospero utilizes it for his ‘art’, Ariel, his good Sprite, floats in transparent plastics and Caliban, the island’s indigenous ‘monster’, wallows in oil slicks. Designed by our talented art teacher, Heather Beames, our set was re-constituted from past school production set pieces alongside Tor Hollidge’s creative costumes and props, which complimented and reflected the whole design of the piece. Music is central to the Tempest, Shakespeare’s most musical play, and Huw Morgan’s haunting compositions accentuated the magical atmosphere.
The staging emulated Elizabethan performances with the audience surrounding the actors on three sides thus providing a whole, inclusive experience. What the appreciative audiences will probably remember the most, though, will be the many moments when individual actors shone and when the ensemble worked together as the great team they became over the 6 months of rehearsal. It has been a pleasure and privilege working with everyone.
Director’s Notes, The Tempest
Our production of Shakespeare’s 'The Tempest', was probably the most ambitious Knole Academy play to date. Falling loosely into the tragi-comedy genre, its story centres on revenge and forgiveness. Many scholars think that the main character, the magician and one-time King of Milan, Prospero, is Shakespeare himself, weaving the playwright’s magic, manipulating the plot. It is a massive part to play: one which both our actors playing Prospero and Prospera (we had a double cast for some main characters) rose to the challenge and brought off with originality and flair.
Our production was set about 50 years in the future, where dystopian Steampunk rules: Western society – as represented by the shipwrecked nobles - has stopped developing under self-seeking rulers and is re-constituted from the past. As a result, our island is awash with the world’s detritus in which both light and dark ‘rubbish’ amass: Prospero utilizes it for his ‘art’, Ariel, his good Sprite, floats in transparent plastics and Caliban, the island’s indigenous ‘monster’, wallows in oil slicks. Designed by our talented art teacher, Heather Beames, our set was re-constituted from past school production set pieces alongside Tor Hollidge’s creative costumes and props, which complimented and reflected the whole design of the piece. Music is central to the Tempest, Shakespeare’s most musical play, and Huw Morgan’s haunting compositions accentuated the magical atmosphere.
The staging emulated Elizabethan performances with the audience surrounding the actors on three sides thus providing a whole, inclusive experience. What the appreciative audiences will probably remember the most, though, will be the many moments when individual actors shone and when the ensemble worked together as the great team they became over the 6 months of rehearsal. It has been a pleasure and privilege working with everyone.
Sara Barratt, Director
Comments from the students:
“I really liked the set design and the use of the stage. It was inventive and added to the look of the overall production. The costumes suited the stage set and I particularly thought Ariel’s costume stood out. I was impressed by the imaginative use of rubbish and recycled materials. Well done everyone.”
Aislinn Mills - Year 13
“This is my second production and I had a much larger role this year. I found learning Shakespeare to be a difficult task. However, after Christmas, I had got the lines in my head and was able to start putting movement and reactions into the performance. I think it is quite hard to play Trinculo and engage the audience in the comedy because not everyone understands Shakespeare. However, our performance on Friday received a round of applause for creating light relief and making the audience laugh. I was very pleased with that reaction.”
Samuel Paredes-Larson – Year 8
“There were only three year seven students in this production and we were lucky enough to be them. We had all been audience members on several occasions and so, were eager to join in. We all feel more confident now after having been in the show and have made some good friends, not only from year seven but from all years. It makes us feel part of the Knole Academy family.”
Amelia Coleman, Artemis Hollidge, Lucy Thornewell – Year 7
“As a year ten cast member, I was one of the older students and had a responsibility to encourage the younger cast members and offer support. In this, my last production, I felt so privileged to have been cast in the role of Miranda. This experience will be a highlight of my time here and I encourage the students of Knole Academy to get involved in school productions.”
Roxanna Nightingale – Year 10
"I only had a small role – that of a Sailor – but it did not make any difference because I was made to feel as important to the show as the leading characters. There were so many rehearsals and I had to come in on Sundays as well, but I can see why we did that – to build the show. I learnt a lot about how I should behave back stage and the importance of teamwork. I would definitely recommend being in the school production."
Lottie-Bluebell Cole – Year 9