Theatre Review: Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST

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From the West End theatre land of London, England comes this new version of one of William Shakespeare’s iconic and classic plays – The Tempest. In the lead role is legendary actress and Academy Award Nominee Sigourney Weaver, star of the Aliens, Ghostbusters, and Avatar movie franchises. Weaver started as an actress on Broadway in New York in the 1970’s and now makes her West End London debut in the mystical, dark and supernatural play from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, directed by Jamie Lloyd. Lloyd cast Weaver specifically for the role of Prospero from female perspective, who is seeking vengeance for having their life torn apart, specifically from their daughter along with other ensuing chaos, and was produced under Jamie’s theatre company. Watching her on stage you could feel the commanding, gravitas screen presence and stature which has made her a star on both the screen and the stage for over 50 years. I thought the production and stage sets were really good and detailed, adding to the bleak, dark, isolated tone combining with the politics mixing together with the Drury Lane Theatre’s stage as the biggest I have seen in any theatre show I have viewed, making the play feel much grander. Her other castmates were Mason Alexander Park (Ariel), Mara Huf (Miranda), James Phoon (Ferdinand), Jude Akuwudike (Alonso), Forbes Masson (Caliban), Jason Barnett (Stephano), Selina Cadell (Gonzalo), Mathew Horne (Trinculo), Oliver Ryan (Sebastian), and Tim Steed (Antonio). The use of blue from different shades on the costumes was a nice contrast to the other uses of black on the set pieces and felt like a good choice to me as it enhanced the feeling of cold, bleakness, especially as this was the first time I had ever watched the play in any medium. Mason Alexander park’s Ariel really sparks brightly on the stage thanks to Alexander’s own natural charisma, which I felt was a highlight and really engaged me as an audience member. I watched this during late December 2024, and the play had its final show on February 1, 2025. Weaver actually played Ariel in the tempest in 1972 at Yale Repertory Theatre, so it was a complete full circle moment for her over 50 years later, as she reported in her interview with WhatsOnStage below.

Below are quotes of star and director discussing the origins of their collaboration for this play.

Jamie Lloyd:

“It feels like kind of an iconic moment, and this name Sigourney Weaver came to mind. And I was almost like out of the blue, I’m a big Alien fanboy you know like I’ve seen Alien more times then anyone else! and I love Sigourney so much, I never dreamed she’d say yes to it ” – WhatsOnStage

Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lloyd & more | The Tempest opening night in London’s West End

Sigourney Weaver:

“Whatever inspired Jamie to invite me was mad, I could not resist you know it was such an unusual invitation, that I was immediately captivated by it .” – WhatsOnStage

Below is a detailed Synopsis for everyone not familiar with the story of the The Tempest courtesy of The Folger Shakespeare Library: The Tempest – Entire Play | Folger Shakespeare Library

‘A story of shipwreck and magic, The Tempest begins on a ship caught in a violent storm with Alonso, the king of Naples, on board. On a nearby island, the exiled Duke of Milan, Prospero, tells his daughter, Miranda, that he has caused the storm with his magical powers. Prospero had been banished twelve years earlier when Prospero’s brother, Antonio—also on the doomed ship—conspired with Alonso to become the duke instead. Prospero and Miranda are served by a spirit named Ariel and by Caliban, son of the island’s previous inhabitant, the witch Sycorax.

On the island, castaways from the wreck begin to appear. First is Alonso’s son Ferdinand, who immediately falls in love with Miranda. Prospero secretly approves of their love, but tests the pair by enslaving Ferdinand. After secretly watching Miranda and Ferdinand exchange vows, Prospero releases Ferdinand and consents to their marriage.

Other castaways who appear are Trinculo and Stephano, Alonso’s jester and butler, who join forces with Caliban to kill Prospero and take over the island. The nobles from the ship search for Ferdinand and are confronted with a spectacle including a Harpy, who convinces Alonso that Ferdinand’s death is retribution for Prospero’s exile.

Having all his enemies under his control, Prospero decides to forgive them. Alonso, joyously reunited with his son, restores Prospero to the dukedom of Milan and welcomes Miranda as Ferdinand’s wife. As all except Caliban and Ariel prepare to leave the island, Prospero, who has given up his magic, bids farewell to the island and the audience.’

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