The Tempest enters into a world of wonder and magic. On a fantastical island inhabited by spirits where people are its visitors, Prospero creates his home and refuge with his beautiful daughter Miranda. Robbed of his status as Duke of Milan he orchestrates, by magic and illusion, a storm and shipwreck, which delivers his wrongdoers onto his island. The perfect stage setting for a play about humanity… the trials and triumphs of love, hate, fear and hope. A celebration of wonder - exotic characters, dreams, extravagant entertainments, ghostly apparitions… 'such stuff /As dreams are made of'.

What will Prospero and his attendant spirits do with the power that he now holds over his wrongdoers? And what will become of Prospero, his daughter and the inhabitants of the island?

Watch Prospero's play skilfully unfold…

Plot summary

Act One
Prospero, a powerful magician, has raised a storm directing his wrongdoers (Alonso the King of Naples, his brother Sebastian and son Ferdinand, as well as Antonio, the Duke of Milan, and their servants) towards his island.
Ferdinand, believing the others to be dead, is separated from the party and is washed up ashore on the island.
Prospero has sent his spirit servant, Ariel, to lead Ferdinand to meet his daughter Miranda. On seeing her first man (other than her father) Miranda falls instantly in love.

Act Two
On another part of the island Alonso washed up with the rest believes his son to be dead.

Act Three
Prospero, wary of the man persuing his daughter requires him to prove his love for her. Ferdinand, unacquainted with manual labour, willingly undertakes the physical work in order to be close to the one he loves and pledges to marry.

Caliban, Prospero's slave, unacquainted with non-spirits, believes two drunken servants to be gods. Together they drink and fight, with Caliban convincing them to help him murder Prospero, promising Miranda as the prize. Ariel reports back to Prospero on the plot to kill him.

Act Four
On completion of the tasks Prospero give his permission for Ferdinand to marry his daughter. They celebrate with a magical entertainment. Prospero conjures up spirits which hound and chase off Caliban and the servants.

Act Five
Bringing together the dispersed parties, he offers forgiveness in exchange for the right to his Dukedom.
He reunites Ferdinand and his father. Miranda is amazed at the many people her 'brave new world' has to offer after a lifetime of isolation.

Ariel leads the visitors back to their intact ship reuniting them with their crew.
Finally Prospero gives up his island and magical powers. Keeping a thoughtful eye over his daughter, he releases his servant spirit and returns home to his rightful role as Duke of Milan.

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