Returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company after more than twenty years Sir Simon Russell Beale CBE (The Death of Stalin, Operation Mincemeat) shines as Prospero, the wronged Duke of Milan in this ethereal, technically daring production of Shakespeare’s tragicomedy romance. Set on a remote island with his daughter, Miranda, servant spirit Ariel, and monster sidekick, Caliban; Prospero uses his magical powers to raise a tempest at sea causing a shipwreck to exact revenge on his brother, Antonio who has betrayed him, stealing his power and Dukedom. Exploring themes of betrayal, revenge, and redemption it is thought to be Shakespeare’s last play that he wrote. Filmed at The Swan Theater in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 2016 the production’s use of high-tech special effects included the first “live motion capture” in a major classical production when images of the flighty Ariel (played by Mark Quartley) were projected in real time around the auditorium immersing the audience into Shakespeare’s supernatural world. Set amid the backdrop of the bare bones of a ship’s carcass the production is suitably atmospheric and haunting with standout performances. Described as, “profoundly moving” and a performance of “moral gravity” by critics at the time, Sir Simon Russell Beale CBE is outstanding as Prospero in Sir Gregory Doran’s visually arresting production.
