A new production of The Tempest will blast off next week.
Set in 2182, the show is being performed by Conservatoire East, the performing arts arm of West Suffolk College and will take place within grounds of the Bury based educational establishment.
The play has been adapted by director Erica Dupuy, head of performing arts and music for Eastern Education Group who hopes this new take that is situated in space, will attract new audiences to The Bard’s work.
Erica said: “The wonderful thing about Shakespeare is you can find ways of updating what he created – and the plot still works because it’s all about the characters and the text. That’s where the fun is. I’m sure that there are purists who are going to be irked, but Shakespeare himself was such a trailblazer, I think he’d love it.”
The story has been abridged but is still using Shakespeare’s original language. The plot is about a magician called Prospero who goes to live on an island after being betrayed by her brother. When her enemies’ ship comes into view, Prospero ensures that its inhabitants are beamed aboard her ship The Island to take revenge.
Lorna Ferguson, 17, from Great Saxham plays Prospero’s daughter Miranda and can’t wait to be part of a production that runs from 30 April to 2 May. Lorna said: “It’s really great to be a part of something that feels so original and different, while at the same time it is teaching us classical acting. Being in this show has been incredibly exciting.”
Ashley Bell (16, of Beck Row) is one of four students playing the role of Ariel. Ashley said: “The character is a spirit and the four of us represent the four elements – earth, air, fire and water. It feels good to be part of a team playing the same role and I think having four of us adds to the ethereal quality of the character. The show is really exciting because there is music, multimedia, pyros – it’s got everything. I guess the fact that it is set in space means you could say it will be out of this world.”
To purchase tickets you can visit here: What’s on – Events – Conservatoire EAST | Performing & Production Arts school | West Suffolk College
