The Tempest: A Political Fable

This production of The Tempest is a political fable that begins with a cataclysm, and a split between nobles and workers about what should be done. The nobles, who are Neapolitans, on their way back from a royal wedding, and they insist on trying to manage the situation, while the ship's crew split their efforts between trying to get their "betters" below deck for their own safety, and keeping the ship afloat. Ultimately, they fail, and the ship is split. Or so we think.

The tempest they've been struggling through turns out to be an intricate spell woven by Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, who took to studying magic so intensely that he didn't notice his brother Antonio plotting a coups to usurp his Dukedom. Prospero and his daughter Miranda are marooned on an island, thought dead, and Prospero has been working tirelessly to trap the Neapolitans on the island with him. These Neapolitans include Antonio, but also Alonso, the King of Naples, and Alonso's son Ferdinand, among others. Prospero coerces his spirit Ariel, who has caused the tempest, to continuing to work for him until his plan is complete by promising Ariel his freedom. Prospero also dispatches Caliban, an inhabitant of the island who is now Prospero's slave, to get firewood, although Caliban protests that he would have his freedom - and Miranda - if it weren't for Prospero's magic. Ferdinand, meanwhile, is lead by Ariel to Miranda, and the two fall in love at first sight. Prospero decides to make Ferdinand work for his daughter’s hand in marriage, and so he uses his magic to overpower Ferdinand and put him to work on the island.

The Neapolitans, thinking Ferdinand dead, attempt to make their way through the island, while Antonio conspires to murder Alonso with his brother Sebastian while everyone else is sleeping, because, due to feudal machinations, Sebastian would be next in line after Alonso dies. Ariel wakes the group up before the murder can take place. Elsewhere on the island, Caliban is found by Stephano and Trinculo, two drunks from the ship, who pry Caliban for aid by giving him liquor. Caliban decides to serve them instead of Prospero, and tries to convince them to help him murder Prospero so they can take back the island. Ferdinand learns to enjoy the work Prospero is forcing him to do, and he and Miranda decide to get married. Prospero, unseen, watches and approves. Meanwhile, Ariel manages to interrupt Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban by tricking them to fight each other. Ariel misleads them by playing music, which they follow, then also foils a plot by the Neapolitans to murder Prospero by transforming into a harpy and announcing that Ferdinand is dead as vengeance for Prospero being usurped. Meanwhile, Prospero summons spirits to preside over Miranda’s wedding, though their ceremony is cut short when Prospero remembers the plots against his life.

Ariel has lead Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban through a mire, and so Prospero and Ariel leave beautiful clothes out nearby to lure them out. Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban attempt to steal the clothes, but are attacked by spirits and flee. Ariel then lures the Neapolitans to Prospero, and goes to get the mariners from the boat, all of whom have been kept safe and hidden, and the boat entact. Prospero reveals himself, confronts the Neapolitans for usurping his Dukedom, but reconciles with all of them, except Antonio. He allies with Alonso by revealing Ferdinand is alive, and married to Miranda. Ariel returns the mariners to the Neapolitans, and brings Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban, all wearing Prospero’s stolen clothes. Prospero and Alonso chastise them for their plot and reclaim the stolen clothes, before making plans to return to Milan. His final command to Ariel is to ensure the seas are calm for the voyage, and - when that is done - he promises he will set Ariel free. He makes a similar request of the audience, asking them to free him from the consequences of any of his wrongdoing.

The audience is invited not to clap if they so choose.