As the start of the Outdoor Theater Festival, Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Wooden O opened The Tempest at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island on Thursday. The set and costuming were inventive, featuring a grungy steampunk theme with rusty tin can barrels, wood planking, tires, and fishing nets included. The music was ethereal and apocalyptic and the stage presence of the actors was high energy from start to finish.
The play begins as Prospero summons a storm to ground the ship of her deceitful brother, Antonio the Duke of Milan, on the island she was marooned on several years before when Antonio conspired to have Prospero and daughter Miranda killed at sea. In an effort to restore her position as the rightful Duke of Milan, several plots are unveiled in a story of revenge, redemption, love and magic.
Amy Thone, cast in the leading role as Prospero, mentioned that it was the biggest audience they had ever had for an opening night performance. In an outdoor space, it is especially difficult for the actors to project their voices. As a result of the necessity for more audience members to hear, some emotional nuance was lost in the projection of the lines.
The play features multiple subplots and an emotional arching storyline, which felt rushed without an intermission. Frequently viewed as Shakespeare’s last great work, the ending of the play was somewhat anticlimactic specifically because it was rushed. However, Prospero’s symbolic relinquishment of her magic cloak for the donning of an edgy beige leather trench coat was a nice touch.
The overall feeling of the play was very maternal. Depicted by a strong female lead, Prospero had a protective and nurturing, though dominant relationship with Miranda. Ariel, played by three people, featured a two women-one man personification, which is traditionally portrayed as male. Fitting for Shakespeare in this day and age.
All-in-all, the best aspect of this play was the striking blend of magical realism, dystopian themes and steampunk culture. Director Kelly Kitchens did a good job of capturing the independent and self-contained essence of the script. If people continue to turn out for this show in the same numbers, I think the performance will improve as the actors get more comfortable with the audience.
“The Tempest” by William Shakespeare, directed by Kelly Kitchens, will be playing at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island and in other parks through August 11. For specific show times and locations visit www.seattleshakespeare.org.