BARD ON THE BAY 2023

THE TEMPEST

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

The Tempest begins with a ship being tossed about at sea as a storm rages. Aboard are Alonso (the Queen of Naples), Ferdinand (her child), Sebastian (her sister), Antonio (the usurping Duke of Milan), and other nobles of her court. Miranda watches the ship in the storm from her home on a nearby island. The storm was conjured by Miranda’s mother, the magical Prospero, who reassures her that all will be well. Prospero reveals to Miranda how the two of them came to live on this remote island: they were once part of Milan’s nobility — Prospero was a Duchess — and she and Miranda lived a life of luxury. However, twelve years ago Prospero’s brother usurped her title and placed Prospero and Miranda on a boat, never to be seen again. Prospero then summons her spirit servant Ariel, one of the many magical inhabitants of the island. Ariel explains that she has dispersed the ship’s passengers across the island, just as Prospero ordered. The remainder of the play follows the separated crew members and those from Prospero’s past as they navigate what they believe to be a deserted island, which is in fact full of Prospero’s music and magic. Thought by some to be the last play Shakespeare wrote, The Tempest explores revenge, forgiveness, love and the magical powers they have over this “brave new world, that has such people in it!”

COLLECTIVE MEMBERS

​Directors: Anne Raciunas & Heather Dennis
Music Director: Jackie-Rose Brown 

Chloë Rose Flowers
Candy Pryce
Richard Varty

​GUEST ARTISTS

Stephen Bainborough
Jane Bolton
Robyn Hughes
Stevie Lyons
Jake McArthur
Riley Ough
Tara Schell

Composer: Edward Moll
Stage Managers: Bryan James & Jim Roe

Photo by Bryan Davies