Review: The Tempest ****
GIVEN the unpredictable nature of the English weather, it was a brave decision by Sprite Productions to celebrate its fifth anniversary with an outdoor version of The Tempest.
It was a decision that started to look a little foolhardy as we drove through a deluge on our way to Ripley Castle. However, the gods were seemingly on our side and by the time we arrived, the storm had gone.
Sprite have become well known in recent years for staging its outdoor Shakespeare plays here, but instead of roaming the grounds with the audience in tow, this year they've opted to perform The Tempest on an island in the middle of the castle's lake. It's an ideal setting, for the play takes place on an island where the play's protagonist, the banished sorcerer Prospero, the usurped Duke of Milan, uses his magical powers to raise a tempest that drives his enemies ashore.
The play, widely thought to be Shakespeare's last, swings between romance, comedy and tragedy and the intimate, open-air surroundings work well to draw the audience in.
Although there are no obvious stand-out performances, this is a highly-skilled group of actors who work seamlessly together and each has a sound grasp of character. All in all, director Luck Kerbel does an admirable job and this is a highly enjoyably evening's entertainment.
Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire. To July 5.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
