KEY POINTS:
In A charming little boat shed on stilts a troupe of Shakespearean players are wrestling with his "revenge comedy" - The Tempest.
They put up a good fight taking a traditional yet fresh approach to the play. With the smell of sea on the air and the sun setting outside the venue provides a perfect briny atmosphere. Many magic moments are created as the players plot revenge, fall in love, fool around and right historic wrongs.
But over the course of 2 1/2 hours the big play beats them. It's too long, too dense and without the crowd-pleasing speeches of Shakespeare's other great plays, the players are lost in a seas of words like little corks on a stormy sea.
It's a shame the Peripeteia theatre group didn't reinterpret or edit the text because, although the show was too long, as a whole they are passionate and talented performers.
And as a night out it was a pleasure to be in the company of such welcoming hosts so passionate about taking their audience on a theatrical journey.
To get to the show you walk down a little path off Westend Rd beside Cox's Bay. Inside, the Sea Scout hall has a giant ship's wheel, life preservers and other maritime paraphernalia.
The roof is draped with muslin cloths, shells and wind chimes and in one corner there is a pile of Victoriana that looks newly washed up by the sea.
The audience sits on chairs and crates scattered throughout the hall and the action takes place all around and, most memorably, even above them.
Simon Coleman is credited as the "design angel" for the show and it's well-deserved title. The costumes and set are simple but intelligent and help reinforce the feeling that this is an impromptu show by a travelling troupe of players.
In the beginning it feels more like a party then a play, a saxophone is playing as the sun sets and the actors welcome you in. They introduce themselves and then ask members of the audience to flip a coin to determine which of two different parts they will play.
While a fun and interactive way to get the audience involved it is also confusing as you try and keep up with who has ended up playing who. It also has the strange effect of distracting you from the performances by encouraging you to ponder what the show would be like if the alternate actor was playing the part. In a further distraction there is no distinction between the sexes so men play women and vice versa without any apparent reason for the gender swap.
On opening night, Stuart Devenie took the role of Prospero and proved again his ability to command a stage and an audience's attention even barefoot and wearing a nightie and despite losing his lines more than once.
As Prospero's beloved daughter Miranda, real-life daughter Laurel Devenie glowed with the power of love and shared some sweetly romantic moments with Arthur Meek's Ferdinand. Colleen Davis was brave to cover herself in the black mud of Coxs Bay but her Caliban seemed weak and snivelly.
Jacob Tamaiparea made a commanding Alonso while Daniel Mainwaring and Madeleine Hyland were suitably devious as the royal plotters Sebastian and Antonio. In the lesser roles Kate Simmonds, Frank Brown and Brooke Williams made the most of their parts.
But the star of the show is undoubtedly Trygve Wakenshaw as sprite Ariel. He's a sinister shape covered in muslin cloth who limberly climbs roof rafters and drops from the ceiling seemingly unhampered by stiff human bones and muscle. Even with his face obscured he is compelling.
The Tempest is rootsy Shakespeare with a heart and while this production beat the young players, this is a group worth watching. With the right material and stronger direction they could create truly memorable theatre.
What: The Tempest
Where: The Hawke Sea Scouts Hall, Coxs Bay
When: Until February 23
Reviewer: Shannon Huse
