inspired by THE TEMPEST
Commissioned by The National Theatre in 2007
Conceived and Devised by Mike Lister
Presented by Avanti Display
Writer, Director - Mike Lister
Composer, Sound Designer - Seaming To
Set Designer - Naomie Parker
Costume Designer - Lynne Duric
Lighting Designer - Johnny Goodwin
Pyrotechnic Design - Dave Chadwick
Choreography – Ruth Jones
Large scale street theatre that “flames amazement”.
Washed ashore after a storm, sailors find themselves in Prospero’s enchanted, island kingdom. Prospero, man of books, is the Storm Bringer. He has used his knowledge to enslave the natural spirits and to bend the elements to his will. It is his arrogance that precipitates the violent coming of the tempest. In this way Prospero’s actions characterize the current malignant danger of man-made climate change.
Avanti Display drew on 20 years of theatrical alchemy to bring Shakespeare’s TEMPEST into the arena of the 21st century. Employing a combination of performance, music, song and strong visual imagery, combined with the beautiful verses of the original text, Avanti Display presented a richly textured, poetic production. Storm Bringer is staged with effects of rare device, to create “sounds and sweet airs that give delight”.
Avanti Display create theatre that is universally accessible, stimulating and striking. In keeping with Avanti Display popular style, our aim was to present a modern reading of a classic text, engaging and spectacular, striking and original.
This original theatrical event fused fire and water in a tempestuous finale that could only be performed out side.
When the weather breaks will all our world be tempest tossed?
Touring dates, summer 2007
25 & 26 May – Rochester Castle; FUSE Festival, Chatham and Rochester
1 & 2 June – Platt Fields, Manchester; FEAST, with M.I.A. & X.trax
30 June – Knarsborough, Green Spaces Festival
11, 12, 13 & 14 July – South Bank National Theatre; Watch This Space
3 & 4 August – Waterford Spraoi, Ireland
Performed by:-
Caliban – Gary Stoner; (Brian Thunder second half of tour)
Prospero - Patrick Bridgeman
Ariel – Sally Johnson
Miranda – Emma Lee
Ferdinand – Chris Lindon
Trinculo – Simon Kerrigan
Stephano – Mark Tilotson
