A lighter shade of Shakespeare for Whanganui director

Director Karen Craig said she chose Macbeth as a first Shakespeare play to direct in Whanganui because she knew it well.

"I had acted in a production of Macbeth so I felt it would be the best play for my debut as a director.

"Macbeth is so filled with murder and mayhem though whereas The Tempest has some light moments and comedy."

Whanganui audiences loved the tale of cursed Scottish nobles performed by a Whanganui cast at Bason Botanic Gardens in 2016 and some of the actors have also been cast in The Tempest, which opens on Thursday.

Dwight Ballard will play Prospero - the rightful Duke of Milan, who has been usurped by his brother Antonio.

Ballard will be joined by a cast made up of familiar Whanganui actors and newcomers, says Ms Craig.

Once again, members of the McKenzie family will be on stage and behind the scenes and mayor Hamish McDouall is in the cast after also giving a great performance in Macbeth.

"Mel Hawkins is also in this production and she encouraged some of the young starlets from the Andram group to audition.

"There is some great young talent and they all go to different schools which makes for a nice spread."

Kathy Cunningham has handled the marketing for The Tempest, Bason Botanic Gardens Trust chairman Terry Dowdswell has provided the venue support and the director's husband, David Craig, has been in charge of set design.

The set, constructed with waratahs and bamboo, will be covered with fabrics - all donated by local suppliers.

One person who was a hit with Macbeth audiences in 2016 and won't be back this year is 9-year-old Eric Craig.

"He enjoyed playing a role in Macbeth but he was only 7 and he got very bored with all the waiting around.

"Maybe he will be in the next one," said his mother.

The Tempest: Thursday night and Saturday matinee - Tickets $10 each. Friday and Saturday nights - Tickets $20. Book at Royal Wanganui Opera House or online at royaloperahouse.co.nz