Review: The Tempest

Birmingham MAC June 30

ODDSOCKS Productions are well known for its light-hearted versions of some of William Shakespeare's more serious plays and they wield their magic once again with The Tempest.

The Theatre Company provides a delightfully jovial portrayal, while still remaining faithful to the murkier moments in the plot, which include murder and revenge.

The play, performed at the MAC's outside arena, centres around the deposed Duke of Milan, Prospero (played by Adrian Palmer), wreaking his revenge on brother Sebastian (Mark Pearce) and the Queen of Naples (Harriett Kershaw) for being exiled to a mysterious island.

While all of this is going on Prospero's teenage daughter, Miranda (Susie Riddell), falls for the Queen's foppish son, Ferdinand (Nicholas Goode).

Unlike some of other stuffy productions Oddsocks go out of their way to entertain the audience and have them participate.

There's no good being shy at this show, because they will have you making wild Seagull or rushing wind noises each time The Tempest is mentioned.

There was also a liberal sprinkling of improvisation going on, particularly with the monster Caliban (Pearce) and the hopeless jester Trinculo (Laughlin), who both played up to the young crowd's delight.

Susie Riddell, who plays Miranda and mischievous spirit Ariel, is rough and ready but entertaining throughout.

Small in scale but big on entertainment, this version of The Tempest is the perfect way to introduce Shakespeare to children and still has enough to cheer up the adults as well.

Peter McKinney