This Thursday the Taking Flight Theatre Company will return with a special performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The play is an intriguing romance set on an Island, where Prospero, the exiled and rightful Duke of Milan is seeking to restore both his and his daughter’s position.
Prospero’s plan involves the use of his rationality accompanied by his magical abilities. Thanks to his ability to create and manipulate illusions, the protagonist comes up with a clever plan. He creates a terrible storm, making his usurping brother Antonio and his helpers believe that they are shipwrecked and stuck on the same island he is living on.
Antonio and his most important helper Alonso are thus separated and they both believe that the other is dead. Different subplots then alternate throughout the play. Ultimately, Prospero’s daughter Miranda and Antonio’s son Ferdinand fall in love and, thanks to their union, peace is restored. Prospero finally reconciles with his brother and gives up his magic.
Magic is both one of the central themes of The Tempest and one of the most controversial topics of the time. The difference between a rational and a good use of magic instead of an occultist one is believed to be represented respectively by the characters of Prospero and Sycorax. Prospero’s magic is used to restore peace and create wonders, not to encourage evil and destruction.
The main character’s magical skills exist mainly thanks to his infinite culture and knowledge. Prospero’s use of magic can also be linked to a metaphorical reference to theatrical illusion. Indeed, the play can also be considered a reflection on art and theatre itself.
These fascinating themes of the Shakespearian play will be brought to life once again by the “unique take” of the Taking Flight Theatre Company at Thompson’s Park in Cardiff on the 8th of June.
Prospero’s plan involves the use of his rationality accompanied by his magical abilities. Thanks to his ability to create and manipulate illusions, the protagonist comes up with a clever plan. He creates a terrible storm, making his usurping brother Antonio and his helpers believe that they are shipwrecked and stuck on the same island he is living on.
Antonio and his most important helper Alonso are thus separated and they both believe that the other is dead. Different subplots then alternate throughout the play. Ultimately, Prospero’s daughter Miranda and Antonio’s son Ferdinand fall in love and, thanks to their union, peace is restored. Prospero finally reconciles with his brother and gives up his magic.
Magic is both one of the central themes of The Tempest and one of the most controversial topics of the time. The difference between a rational and a good use of magic instead of an occultist one is believed to be represented respectively by the characters of Prospero and Sycorax. Prospero’s magic is used to restore peace and create wonders, not to encourage evil and destruction.
The main character’s magical skills exist mainly thanks to his infinite culture and knowledge. Prospero’s use of magic can also be linked to a metaphorical reference to theatrical illusion. Indeed, the play can also be considered a reflection on art and theatre itself.
These fascinating themes of the Shakespearian play will be brought to life once again by the “unique take” of the Taking Flight Theatre Company at Thompson’s Park in Cardiff on the 8th of June.
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