The Tempest

As usual, EODS annual presentation of a Shakespeare play took place in Eastbourne’s lovely Italian Gardens. We couldn’t hear the waves beating on the shore as often happens as it was a fine and still evening. However, the sound effects department immediately took us violently with a very loud crack of thunder into a shipwreck scenario made even more realistic by the Island Spirits vigorously waving white sails to show us just how bad the storm was going to be with the Boatswain (Ollie Price) shouting with a loudhailer from aloft and trying to control the ship.

Meanwhile the nobles on board were panicking.  The ship was eventually wrecked and the rocks were turned into tree stumps as the rock like coverings were quickly whipped off in time for the second scene where we find Prospero – Magician and rightful Duke of Milan.  Simon Gisby was the ultimate Prospero, well played in every way.

The scene was now set on a nearby island.  Prospero’s daughter, Miranda was with him and after revealing how he used his magic to create the storm to bring his enemies to him, she meets Ferdinand and they fall in love at first sight.  Emily Snelgrove gave an enchanting performance as Miranda and eventually (after many alarms and excursions) their love is allowed to blossom.  Ferdinand was played by Malachi Jones, another excellent performance.

As Director Keith Smith said in his programme notes, this is definitely a tale of love, loss, greed and redemption and although some modern influences were used, the Bard’s wonderful words were all there.

And so the story continues, introducing Ariel, Prospero’s spirit servant played with vigour and vim by Daniel Garnham, and Caliban, mistakenly thought to be a beast by Trinculo and Stephano but who was really the island’s original inhabitant.  Caliban‘s makeup was really a sight to behold and his manner of gait was certainly unusual!  He could easily have been mistaken for a beast - what a performance!  Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano were very drunk at one stage - exceedingly well done!

The rest of the large cast worked so well – I won’t name them all but you know who you were!

The programme, designed by Sam Kavakli, was devised in excellent fashion which included a touching tribute to Mike Barber who had played many Shakespeare roles with EODS and who sadly passed away a few months ago.  I know he will be greatly missed.

The costumes were ideal and the backdrop designed for some entrances and exits was delightful, especially when the island sprites decorated it with flowers – a lovely touch.

I am always in awe of the way in which everything for the production has to be transported down into the Italian Gardens and then back up again at the end of the run.   Terrific organisation.

The interval refreshments are always welcome and that’s another excellent part of a production like this – well done to all who helped in any way.

All involved in this production are to be congratulated on yet another successful production in lovely surroundings, especially Director Keith Smith, Nick and Felicity Reynolds for Production Management and to everyone who carried out any of the jobs that just make a production.  Here’s to many more Shakespearian evenings in these lovely surroundings.

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