THE
INDIAN TEMPEST
Footsbarn
at Shakespeare's Globe
01.08.13
An
enthralling, magical Tempest "with a strong flavour of Kerala"
from India via France and Portugal . A huge tent billows in the
breeze from the river – its flimsy fabric will later make a
mechanical dissolve from one scene to the next.
The
storm gently rocks the little shadow boat; there are puppets, rush
baskets, swirling smoke, a rainy storm cloud on a stick, a bird
monster and a glorious goddess.
The
acting company is eclectic – the noblest Prospero I have ever seen
[Reghoothaman
Domodaran Pillai
], a French Ferdinand – "D'où vient cette musique ?"
[Haris
'Haka' Resic ], a mischievous Ariel – part Shakespearean servant,
half temple dancer, [Gopalakrishnan Kundamkumarath] and a blunt London Caliban from Artistic Director
Paddy Hayter.
And
Caliban is key to this intriguing production. As the Magician,
candle-crowned, leaves the island, the indigenous thing of darkness
is left with the undrowned book. Nervous of its power, he sets fire
to the pages as the play ends.
