The Tempest

I left home on Saturday, and the heavens opened. While driving to see The Tempest at Tyler House in Canterbury, a raging storm broke, and I had to stop. I thought this is very apt for the Tempest...!! I need not have worried, the sun shone on the Tempest so much so that the umbrella I took I used as a sunshade. Phew!!

I had never seen The Tempest before, and I wasn’t up on the story line. But Director Nick Surridge assisted by Arina Yang made it understandable with their clever direction. I liked the use of the hospital interludes very clever indeed…. I also liked the use of the bamboo for the ship and forest to the side, this being constructed and designed by Mick Groombridge. Costumes and masks were minimal but worked perfectly well …all credit to your costume ladies Arina Yang, Caroline Groombridge, and Elizabeth Surridge.

Your cast were exceptional and directed superbly by you Nick, and Arina, whether a lead or smaller parts, so much so I feel that it would be unfair to single each one out. These being Graham Crabb, Barnaby Lockyer, Gareth Griffiths, Owen Powell, Olivia Polley, Paul Morris, Alice Hanks-Rivett, Harry Stemple, Adham Devenney, Stephen Bates, Janet Forbes, and Jerry Houseago. Oh, and Boo’sun Boo the dog. A splendid afternoon was had by all at Tyler House, it’s such a lovely venue to see open air Shakespeare. Thank you for inviting me, I look forward to Canterbury Shakespeare Festival's up and coming productions.

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