Novel effects and two great performances in this production of The Tempest

Daisy Swaby as Ariel. Photo courtesy of Caramba Theatre Company.

Caramba Theatre Company present The Tempest by William Shakespeare at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Saturday 9 May 2026. Directed by Mollie Taylor.

Review by Charles Essex.

 Caramba Theatre Company’s adaptation of The Tempest used novel costuming and effects in the production of this Shakespeare classic.  The audience was greeted with an intriguing set when they entered, beautiful birdsong contrasting with a dark and misty atmosphere. 

The initial shipwreck and storm scene were cleverly portrayed as several of the cast sang sea shanties, a musical theme that was repeated several times during the course of the play alluding to the island setting.

The Tempest cast. Photo courtesy of Caramba Theatre Company.

Prospero (Christopher Leonard) explained at length to his daughter Miranda (Tracey Obiakor) how they came to be on the desert island, a story of family betrayal.  Using back-lit projection of shadow puppets was a clever device to show action depicting the fraught family background, although the action of the figures often did not seem to match Prospero’s monologue.

Two characters stood out for giving superb performances. Daisy Swaby played Ariel, the spirit who was compelled to do Prospero’s bidding. Her one-piece Lycra body suite highlighted her sylph-like and skittish movements, full of nervous energy, as she conveyed Ariel’s other-worldly nature. When Sycorax, the dead witch who had previously enslaved her, briefly appeared, Daisy conveyed very convincingly her growing terror, and multiple hands (of the ensemble) appeared through the backdrop holding Ariel in bondage.

Caliban (Tim Guest) was the son of Sycorax and was wild and savage.  He was Prospero’s slave and perpetually resentful that Prospero controlled the island where they lived. Tim was magnificent in this role.  He was thoroughly believable as the deranged and embittered wildman.  His outbursts of temper and aggressive behaviour were dynamic and energetic, enhanced by his costuming and make up.

As well as the shanties, there was excellent singing from Ariel, and a beautiful harmony from three spirits (Deborah Bode-Williams, Jo Pearson and Samantha Stuart). 

Tim Guest as Caliban. Photo courtesy of Caramba Theatre Company.

Miranda and Ferdinand (Daniel Denton-Harris) had a gentle growing affection, while Antonia (Deborah Bode-Williams) tempted Sebastian (Steven Dean) to seize the crown, reminiscent of Laby Macbeth enticing Macbeth to commit murder.

With the exceptions of the performances by Ariel and Caliban, the production lacked pace and energy throughout, and dialogue was sometimes spoken with little or no emotion, especially by characters who had been wronged or who were in tense situations.

The Tempest is not an easy play and director Mollie Taylor is to be commended for bringing this production using innovative ideas.

See more from the The Bear Pit Theatre: https://www.thebearpit.org.uk/