SISATA: The Tempest - The Courtyard
Sunday 27th August 2023
6.30pm (Doors 5.45pm)
Tickets £12 - £15
Outdoor theatre company SISATA return to the Town Hall courtyard for the August Bank Holiday weekend, with their adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, set in the coastal island of Portland
Adapted and directed by Charmaine K, with musical direction by Alastair Simpson, and supported by Arts Council England, Lighthouse, Poole, Arts University Bournemouth, and Bournemouth University.
A great storm is coming to the Isle of Portland, bringing trouble to its shores. Prospero’s spells wash ashore the ghosts of his past, triggering strange magical consequences for Portlanders; Miranda, Ariel and Caliban. The human lust for power and control have become toxic, causing devastating pollution, endangering lives and the future of the land itself. Can the tempest crisis unite them to live and love and work together with nature to battle the inevitable tide of climate change? Will love win the day?
This SISATA production draws from experiences of climate change and the power of nature through our work with coastal communities on the Isle of Portland in Dorset.
SISATA’s The Tempest production begs the question…did Shakespeare know about climate change?
“[...] the spring, the summer,
The childing autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries; and the mazed world,
By their increase, now knows not which is which.
And this same progeny of evils comes
From our debate, from our dissension;
We are their parents and original”
(Titania, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 2 Scene 1)
This famous speech, penned by Shakespeare approximately 430 years ago, has been known to draw clear parallels to our current climate crisis. Yet in SISATA’s daring production of The Tempest, new insights on our impact on the environment are brought into the open, using Shakespeare’s very own words. In an interview with the director and cast, Charmaine K (Director) stated:
“The whole play is imbued with everything about nature and humans' relationship to it and how much they disregard or honour it. You have the power of civilisation and man-made construction, verses the power of knowledge of nature. Lesser-ranking characters, like Caliban and Gonzalo, have more honour for nature than higher-ranking characters in the civilised world.”
In a unique twist, this production specifically sets the world of the play in Portland, sharing the impact of climate change on coastal communities with wider audiences.
“There are huge issues going on in Portland at the moment in terms of the incinerator, climate, pollution, water pollution, that kind of thing. And they’re so interchangeable, those themes with the themes of the play.” (Charlotte Peach - Research and Development Actor)
Portland-based actor Anna Takashima shared:
“Portland has this almost mystical island quality, so it does feel quite comparable with a lot of ‘The Tempest’. It’s so interesting the connections, the will of nature, and the mystical and spiritual aspects. As well as the contemporary issues of climate change, ocean plastics and the incinerator.”
“Because the project has been so inspired by Portland, for me as a Portlander, I think it’s nice to be able to share the Portland experience to a wider audience. And especially describing these themes of the impact of climate change on coastal communities, and reaching a wider audience with those messages.”
This outdoor production will be touring the UK this summer, and visiting the Town Hall on Sunday 27th August. The production will be outside in the Courtyard - there are chairs and tables available, but please bring blankets, cushions and a picnic! Our bar will be open serving hot drinks, soft drinks and a selection of beers and wines.