THE TEMPEST

Thu 29 July - Sat 7 August 1993 at 7.30pm (no performance Sun 1 August)
Performed in the open air in the grounds of St Andrew's Hospital, Billing Road, Northampton

Photo gallery

As one dark cloud disappeared another drew in — threatening a tempest for The Tempest.

But the rains held off and the Masque Theatre’s production of Shakespeare's last and currently most fashionable play got under way.

The open-air setting in the grounds of St Andrew’s Hospital, Northampton, provided an impressive backdrop for an evening of drama.

The story follows Prospero, the ousted Duke of Milan, and those who overthrew him, who suddenly become shipwrecked on the same island.

Noise and motion filled the opening scene as the cast of characters found themselves shipwrecked and the smoke which billowed out into the audi ence — perhaps unintentionally - drew in those watching.

It became obvious shortly into the two-hour play that Richard Allen was struggling for his lines as Prospero. He searched for the prompt and towards the end read his lines from the script.

But his acting ability was undoubted and he proved an imposing pres ence on the stage. His problem with the lines, producer John Cartwright told me, was because he spent a period away from rehearsals due to a hospital stay.

David Moran as Stephano the butler, Martin Borley as Trinculo the jester and Vince Perry as the grotesque Caliban threatened to steal the show with their comic antics. Moran especially was superb as a drunken megalomaniac.

Duncan Eaton as Antonio, Prospero's brother and usurper. and Barry Hillman as Sebastian, brother to the King of Naples. were convincing as an evil pair.

The set and lighting were both simple but effective and enhanced by the innovative use of the entire stage.

This was the 51st summer production by the company (although it has changed its name in that time) and the third at the hospital. The Tempest was also staged in 1981.