Review: The Tempest

Rehearsal shot from The Tempest

Punkin' Shakespeare

Kaleidoscope takes on the last play and scores

by Valerie Cardinal

One thing is made clear from the first scene of Kaleidoscope Theatre's production of The Tempest: this is not your usual Shakespeare. The aesthetic is undeniably steampunk, with gorgeous costumes and rock music interludes. The best part? It works! A style usually associated with futuristic dystopian landscapes actually makes sense within the context of a mysterious, magical island.

The plot of The Tempest is all about the magic. Prospero, the Duke of Milan, was usurped by his brother and has been marooned on an island full of spirits and magical creatures for 12 years. When his brother and the King of Naples sail by, Prospero raises a magical tempest and strands them on the island for some good old-fashioned repentance. 

First-Person: Trevor Barrette on The Tempest

To entertain and enlighten Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers alike

The Tempest comes to the West Island

by Trevor Barrette

Kaleidoscope Theatre Montreal’s production of William Shakespeare’s The TEMPEST sets the Bard’s final masterpiece in the fictional world of Victorian Futurism. It is a world of contradictions, science and innovation where the old and the new collide and the line between dreaming and reality is never drawn. This dynamic and physical staging (produced, performed and designed in its entirety by current students and recent graduates of John Abbott, Dawson and Concordia’s theatre programs) will entertain and enlighten Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The TEMPEST is the story of a man’s reflection on his legacy and his death. Twelve years since being marooned on an almost uninhabited island, Prospero, a powerful magician & the rightful duke of Milan, discovers the King of Naples’ fleet nearing his island. He summons a direful tempest and shipwrecks the King’s ship onto his island to force him and the usurping duke of Milan into repentance. Once on the island, history, as always, seems to repeat itself. Antonio, Prospero’s usurping brother, plots with the King’s brother to overthrow him and take Milan. Meanwhile, the King’s drunken butler and jester meet Caliban, a savage native of the island, who together seek to murder Prospero and claim the island for themselves. In another part of the Isle, Ferdinand, the King’s son, meets Miranda, Prospero’s daughter. The two fall in love and Prospero secures his place on the throne as Ariel, Prospero’s airy spirit servant begs for his freedom. There’s a lot going on. (cont'd)