[theatre] The Tempest: Mumford Theatre, 25.3.X

Student production: enjoyable and frivolous and funny.

From the programme:
Our production transports the play to the world of children's games and imagination. Mighty Dukedomes and Kingdoms transformed into rival houses within the youngsters' school. A young girl's dreams of being a beautiful Princess (or a mischievous fairy with magic powers) can come true. Boys can tussle for a crown, or the favours of a fair maiden, just like the heroes of legend.

Points of note:
- Iris, Ceres and Juno (traditionally 'represented by spirits') are, here, Ariel's gang playmates, wreaking havoc and giggling a lot and taking some of Ariel's lines (which break down nicely into triplets -- "the yards" / "the decks" / "the masts").
- Caliban's attempts at sorcery are hilarious and very much a game of dress-up-and-pretend
- very impressive lighting -- simple but extremely effective, especially the UV light during the scene where Ariel confronts Sebastian and Alonso
- playing the characters as children (with Prospero as an exasperated prefect) brings out Ariel's sulkiness, Caliban's rage, Miranda's soppiness and Alonso and Sebastian's mocking mimicry of Gonzalo. Plus, of course, the dubious morality and underlying cruelty of it all.
- perfect moment: Prospero's line "... disarm thee with this ... stick", as Ariel hands him a catapult.
- oh, and 'Full Fathom Five' sung to the tune of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'