28 October at 8pm, tickets £10 from Northern Stage – https://www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/the-tempest
This pared-down, intense, urban production of Shakespeare’s last play features the stunning contemporary African dance choreography of Shyne Phiri. It is powerful, passionate, and of course magical. By bringing together artists from Africa and Europe, the company uses the best from both continents to both entertain and move the audience.
The play is about patriarchy, colonialism and power: it is not about race, which is made clear by the casting of a multi-racial cast of native English speakers for Prospero, Miranda, Ferdinand, Trinculo and Stephano, while Caliban and Ariel are Malawian, and native Chichewa speakers. As a colonist who has grown up on the island, Miranda speaks mostly in English but occasionally in Chichewa (for instance when she is berating Caliban).
Full of humour, magic, movement and music, the show is fast paced, urban and exciting. Using simple and effective technology it will appeal to a diverse audience; young and old will see something new, vibrant and exciting in this production.
***PLEASE NOTE: THIS PERFORMANCE WILL TAKE PLACE AT DYNAMIX SKATE PARK IN GATESHEAD – Dynamix Skatepark, Albany Rd Junction,, A184, Gateshead NE8 3AT. Performed for one night only at Dynamix Amphitheatre, the last night of the show’s national tour! Please be aware that the venue is not a traditional theatre space, it is a large warehouse, and can be cold, so wrap up warm!
There are free tickets for the show available from Northern Stage Box Office for 16-21 Year-Olds, using the Code ‘Tempest16-21’ and for people with Asylum Seeker or Refugee status, using the code ‘TempestFree’
Waka Waka Africa North East 