Shakespeare's The Tempest: Contemporary Stage Performance Analysis

This report provides an analysis of a contemporary stage performance of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, focusing on the Savage Rose Theater Company's adaptation and Brian Hinds' portrayal of Prospero. The analysis covers various elements of staging, including costumes designed by Shana Lincoln, sound design by J. Barrett Cooper, and lighting details, highlighting their contribution to the overall mood and tone of the play. The report also discusses how the performance interprets Prospero's character, particularly his interactions with Ariel, and emphasizes the significance of theaters in contemporary culture as a source of inspiration for other art forms and a platform for reflecting on modern societal issues. The analysis refers to specific scenes and technical aspects of the production to illustrate how the staging and performance choices enhance the understanding and impact of the play.

Running head: ANALYSIS OF SHAKESPEARE’S THE TEMPEST ON CONTEMPORARY STAGE
ANALYSIS OF SHAKESPEARE’S THE TEMPEST ON CONTEMPORARY STAGE
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ANALYSIS OF SHAKESPEARE’S THE TEMPEST ON CONTEMPORARY STAGE
The performance that has been selected is that of Prospero, the Duke of Milan, in
William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. Brian Hinds has essayed the role of Prospero for the
Savage Rose Theater Company’s adaptation of the play ("The Tempest - Full Play", 2019).
The staging has been kept authentic in the sense that it does not include any modern
interpretation of the play. Staging in theaters refers to the setting or dressing of the stage where
the play is enacted. Staging is the most important aspect of a theater because it decides sets the
tone of the entire play (Pavis, 2013). Other elements of staging include actor or actors’ position
on the stage (blocking), gestures and movements (stage business), props, scenic background,
lighting, costume and sound (Pavis, 2013). The enactment of Shakespeare’s The Tempest by the
mentioned company has included a genuine staging, not making any extra inclusion or
modification to the original play.
Shana Lincoln has designed the costumes that give a glimpse of Renaissance Italy.
Costumes constitute an important element of staging because costumes reflect the setting chosen
by the drama company or production team, which it wants to show to the audience. The sound
design by J. Barrett Cooper gives a powerful impact. Use of wireless body mic helps the
characters to move around and deliver dialogues with effect. The staging matches closely to the
originally play although technical and technological advantages are visible clearly.
Brian Hinds as Prospero delivers a remarkable performance making his presence felt
every time he came on the stage. Prospero sets a quirky tone throughout the play. His
interpretation of the exiled and wronged Duke suits his character well.
The parts where Prospero and Ariel come together were easier to understand because the
play has not changed much of the original text. In one scene, Prospero is seen as cruel and tyrant,

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ANALYSIS OF SHAKESPEARE’S THE TEMPEST ON CONTEMPORARY STAGE
forcing Ariel to remember his unpleasant past such as that of Sycorax, his pine-tree
imprisonment. These memories have not just been portrayed through dialogues but played out on
the center stage, which made it very easy to understand ("The Tempest - Full Play", 2019). The
lighting details in each scene stood put in the play. Extreme details were given to the lighting as
per the tone of the scenes. The makers played well with the lighting, not exaggerating it neither
undermining it.
In the contemporary era, although theaters are no longer the only source of entertainment,
they are still the most refined form of visual art (Bennett, 2013). Theaters in the contemporary
era act as that medium from where other art forms such as films take inspiration. Theater
produces the best of actors and directors of the modern world. In fact, renowned actors also
prefer acting in theaters, in stages because it is one of the most difficult stages to act on. The
contemporary theatres also provide strong reflections upon the issues and evils of the modern
society by recreating old plays. Therefore, theaters in the contemporary world have an important
and essential role to play.

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ANALYSIS OF SHAKESPEARE’S THE TEMPEST ON CONTEMPORARY STAGE
References:
Bennett, S. (2013). Theatre audiences. Routledge.
Pavis, P. (2013). Contemporary Mise en Scène: Staging Theatre Today. Routledge.
The Tempest - Full Play. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=czFoUWwd6mI