The Tempest

Set on an enchanted island Shakespeare’s last play deals with magic, love, treachery, transformations, transmutations, the visible and the invisible. In Caliban, Ariel, and of course Prospero, Shakespeare created three of his most memorable and enigmatic characters. As with all his ‘late plays’, man’s complex and troubled journey from the desire for revenge to the path of mercy is centre stage. When Prospero takes his enemies hostage, the path is set for a traditional revenge drama, but instead ends in redemption, restoration and renewal.

Deborah Warner’s previous Shakespeare productions include Julius Caesar at the Barbican and across Europe, which starred Simon Russell Beale and Ralph Fiennes; productions of King Lear starring Glenda Jackson and Brian Cox in the title role; and ground breaking production of Richard II in which Fiona Shaw played the title role. Deborah Warner will be joined by some of Europe’s finest creative talent, including designer Christof Hetzer whose opera designs have been seen around the world, including Tosca at the National Opera de Paris, Rigoletto in Vienna, Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman in Malmo and Eurydice for De Nationale Opera in Amsterdam.

Lighting Designer Jean Kalman was born in Paris in 1945 and since 1979 has created the lighting for countless theatre and opera productions in France, Japan, Great Britain, Holland, Brussels, Italy and New York. He has worked with numerous directors including Peter Brook and worked extensively with the late artist Christian Boltanski. Sound Designer Mel Mercier began his illustrious theatre career with Deborah Warner and Fiona Shaw’s Medea at the Abbey Court in Dublin and has since worked across the UK and on Broadway.