It was all so good it’s difficult to identify a best part of this production of “The Tempest”:https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/PlaysAndEvents/Production/The-Tempest at Ontario’s Stratford Festival. The stage is amazing. The tree on the island serves as Prospero’s lookout and home (underneath) then morphs into a giant bird then later still a perch for Juno, Queen of the gods in Roman myth.
Did I mention the part of Prospero is being played by 80 year old actress Martha Henry? She’s wonderful! I have seen numerous productions of this play over the years but this is the best one yet. The 2018 Stratford Festival has a stellar program and this play, directed by Antoni Cimolino, Artistic Director for the festival, is the jewel in the crown. An added item of interest is that Henry played Prospero’s daughter, Miranda in 1962, her first season with the festival.
There is never a dull moment and the play is both poignant and alternately funny. It was nice to see Rod Beattie in a role different than I’m used to seeing him in. He plays Gonzalo – quite a change from his one man appearances in the Wingfield series where he plays all the characters.
We went the day after opening night. The play runs until October 26, 2018. If you get the chance to see it, don’t miss it.
