Parklife hit by a poweful Tempest.

The Tempest, North Marine Park, South Shields IT'S a risky venture to put on an outdoor production in Britain, but for the second year running, South Shields Customs House braved the unpredictable weather to present Shakespeare in the park.

With a strong cast, this complex production makes good use of the area with the actors entering from every direction and, at times, walking among the audience.

The outdoor setting really enhances this tale of banished Prospero (David Napthine) who uses his magical powers to raise a tempest in order to punish and redeem his enemies after having been stranded on an island with his daughter for twelve years. The rightful Duke of Milan is also locked in a spiritual battle with Caliban (Dale Meeks), a monster with whom he and his daughter Miranda regard with disgust. Caliban soon falls in with drunks Stephano and Trinculo (Iain Cunningham and Dylan Mortimer), believing they have come from the moon.

Much of the comic relief is provided by these three buffoons as they bid to remove Prospero from power.

In the meantime, Prospero has launched a storm to run aground a ship containing his brother Antonio and mortal enemy Alonso but Prospero's daughter has fallen in love with Alonso's son Ferdinand (Scott Turnbull). Talk about not getting along with the in-laws!

During an early scene, the heavens opened on opening night and only further drew the audience into the action by making us think we too were in the eye of the storm suffered by the crew.

Thankfully, the downpour didn't last long and the wind whistling through the trees was very atmospheric. As darkness fell, lights illuminated the stage and projected shadows onto the trees, enhancing the magical qualities of Prospero and his spirit slave Ariel (the graceful Therase Neve).

Although there were a couple of technical hitches due to the live band and microphone system, this play is commendable simply for being so ambitious. The three dancers - Tamsin Lewis, Brooke Slavin and Natasha Walski - who so ably assisted Ariel were added a great dimension to the production.

VICTORIA WATSON

CAPTION(S):

SUCCESS - the cast rose to the challenge of putting on Shakespeare outdoors

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