The Tempest @ Balmoral

A perfect Sydney summer's evening- Shakespeare being performed around the Rotunda at Balmoral Beach
A perfect Sydney summer’s evening- Shakespeare being performed around the Rotunda at Balmoral Beach

The setting sun over Balmoral Beach on a warm summer’s evening provided the perfect backdrop for a highly enjoyable night’s entertainment of Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST presented by Bard on the Beach.

For 25 years Shakespeare by the Sea was a benchmark for outdoor Shakespeare in Sydney. Founded and curated by David MacSwan, the Company performed some twenty Shakespeare plays at the beach with its closing season in 2011 after MacSwan’s sudden death from a pulmonary embolism  early on in the final summer

Bard on the Beach is a new Shakespeare company created by former actors of Shakespeare by the Sea to fill the gap left by MacSwan’s wonderful pioneering work.

Directed and produced by Patricia Rowling this production had all the magic and atmosphere one hopes for in this classic Shakespeare play.

Therase Neve as the sprite Ariel flitted rhythmically around the other characters creating her spells in a beautiful costume complete with peacock feathers (costumes from Pendragon Armoury).

Matt Jones as Prospero has a wonderful timbre to his voice that gave it power throughout the production. Yet there is compassion at the end of the play as he forgives his enemies and brings happiness to his daughter.

Nick Bolton very competently contrasts his two different roles as Antonio and the creature Caliban. As Antonio he is hungry for power and somewhat foolish in his decisions. A completely different persona is demonstrated as the twisted son of the now-deceased witch Sycorax.

Laura Farran makes a lovely, innocent Miranda but also shows us there is strength in the character of Prospero’s daughter.

Chenier Moore has us barracking for him as her young, fervent, love struck suitor Ferdinand.

Alonso portrayed by Martin Estridge begins as the important King however as the play progresses fears his own actions have caused the death of his son & comes to regret his role in usurping Prospero.

Theo Kokkinidis as Sebastian appears both aggressive and yet cowardly when caught trying to kill his brother.

Roger Smith brings dignity and wisdom to his role as the honest lord Gonzalo.

Adam Garden as Trinculo a cook, and Josh Wiseman as Stephano a drunken butler, work strongly together to provide humour and light relief. Adam Garden also takes the role of Francisco and a boatswain. John Wise appears in the additional roles of Adrian and a mariner.

Adding to the mystery and magic are the brief appearances by Laura Farran as the goddess, Juno, Therese Neve as he goddess Cerus and Theo Kokkinidis as the god Iris. Costumes and makeup artfully disguise them from their other roles.

The actors make full use of the “stage” – the Rotunda, and the area surrounding it with lighting effects coming into play as night descends. Sound design by Dan Collins and Roger Smith heighten the different moods of the play.

Take a picnic, a rug and a jumper and enjoy a night under the stars. The Tempest plays in repertory with A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Band Rotunda, Balmoral Beach, The Esplanade, Balmoral till 8th March 8. Website www.bardonthebeach.net