The Tempest Tickets

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P Reviewed on 29 January 2025 by Peter
Ruislip, United Kingdom

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The critics (apart from an excellent review in The Guardian) have been unfair about this production, They've focused on Sigourney Weaver, which isn't surprising, and it is true that she wasn't the best in the cast, but there was so much more to this production. The acting in general was first-class, especially Selina Cadell (as a female Gonzalo) and Mason Alexander Park, who frankly stole the show as an androgynous Ariel with a great vocal range and a strangely fitting cabaret singing style. This is where Weaver's lack of presence as Prospero was at its most obvious, since it was Ariel who seemed to have all the power and all the tricks. But as a woman playing a male role, it made sense for her to draw on quiet female strength rather than macho posturing, and this was effective up to a point. The minimal setting and props were used to magical effect through clever lighting, and the sound was superb, foregrounding the play's frequent reminders that 'The isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight' as well as giving a truly uncanny atmosphere through amplified voices. There was some cutting of the script, which unfortunately meant that some of the themes of this multilayered play (particularly colonialism and utopianism) were sold short. But overall, an eerie, yet often funny (largely thanks to Mara Huw's Miranda and Jason Banrett's Stephano), accessible production that reminded me why I love The Tempest.

M Reviewed on 27 January 2025 by Melissa
Bungay, United Kingdom

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The staging was exceptional and Ariel really shone especially when singing! The acting was excellent but expected from such a stellar cast! All in all worth seeing!

D Reviewed on 27 January 2025 by Daniela
Durham, United Kingdom

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I read some of the reviews before the show so I was unsure what to expect. I loved it. I thought the acting was brilliant and the set was fantastic. It was very dramatic and the comedy parts were very entertaining. I think the bard would have been proud.

C Reviewed on 26 January 2025 by Catherine
London, United Kingdom

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The set was fantastic, but the comic parts were overplayed; caliban was more pathetic than evil, and Segounrey Weaver was handed a difficult card in playing a largely inanimate Prospero, and struggled to bring the character to any life at all. The one bright spot (beyond the stage and lighting) was Mason Alexander Park as Ariel.

P Reviewed on 26 January 2025 by Peter
Wrexham, United Kingdom

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By far the worst production of The Tempest I've seen. It started with some potential but quickly lost the captivation of the audience and became dull. The layers of the play were absent and the acting was incredibly poor. I am shocked at quite how bad the acting was and the arrogance of anyone involved thinking that this was stage worthy.

K Reviewed on 26 January 2025 by Katie
Rotherfield, United Kingdom

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Amazing and brilliant cast Sigourney was brilliant Wished I had revisited the original tempest story beforehand however didn’t affect my ratings

C Reviewed on 25 January 2025 by Carmela
Podington, United Kingdom

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Excellent cast in this well presented play ~ thoroughly recommend & the script was suberbly written. Dramatic & well executed.

D Reviewed on 23 January 2025 by Deborah Anne
Coventry, United Kingdom

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Thought Sigourney Weaver weaker and just there as she’s a film star - the other actors were superb

P Reviewed on 19 January 2025 by Prudence
London, United Kingdom

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L Reviewed on 16 January 2025 by Lindsey
Twickenham, United Kingdom

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What a dreary, flat performance by Miss Weaver. Although the use of fabrics and lighting and the singing by Ariel were wonderful they didn't compensate. I couldn't wait for it to be over.

G Reviewed on 14 January 2025 by Gillian
Honiton, United Kingdom

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Excellent stage set. Some compelling acting. Overall enjoyable.

C Reviewed on 09 January 2025 by Cliona
Birmingham, United Kingdom

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Very well acted and excellent effects. Super stage set. Ariel had great presence and entries were superb. Magisterial Prospero and beautifully stricken young lovers. A great performance

G Reviewed on 03 January 2025 by Graham
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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The lame sound effects or eerie music or whatever it was supposed to be near the end when prospero is talking took away from the words. Also distracting half her shirt was totally wrinkled as was the back but one side was not. Why have her sit there the whole time. It just didn’t work when she did speak it was without prospero energy.

M Reviewed on 01 January 2025 by Maris
Borrego Springs, United States Of America

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R Reviewed on 26 December 2024 by Raquel
Gibraltar, United Kingdom

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The cast including Sigourney Weaver, Maxwell Alexander and Matthew Horne are fantastic in this compelling adaption of The Tempest.

I Reviewed on 24 December 2024 by Irene
London, United Kingdom

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Good sound and lighting design, but poor use of staging and a rather static and uninspiring cast-wide performance throughout.

T Reviewed on 20 December 2024 by Thomas
High Wycombe, United Kingdom