The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Tom Ridgely
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival TourCo
August 9, 2024
Alex Daspit, Daisy Held and Cast
Photo by Theo R. Welling
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s TourCo is kind of like having a Shakespeare performance in your backyard. This year, with their production of The Tempest, it’s almost literally in my backyard, or close enough, since the location where I saw it was within easy walking distance for me. For others, there are a variety of locations it can be seen throughout the St. Louis Louis area, including various parks and other spaces. No matter where you have to drive–or walk–it’s well worth checking out, because this six-actor production with music, quick costume changes, and magnificent puppets is a wonder to see and hear.
This is a streamlined production that runs 90 minutes with no intermission, along with a fun intro in which the actors introduce themselves and the roles they play, along with giving a short description of the show and some examples of dialogue. Then, the story gets going in fast-paced fashion, as Prospera (Joy Christina Turner) and her daughter Miranda (Daisy Held) have been isolated on an island for years after being deposed by her brother Antonio (Reginald Pierre) and Alonso (Alex Daspit), the King of Naples. There, Prospera has taken up the magic arts and taken the spirit Ariel (Aliyah Jacobs) and Caliban (Isaiah Di Lorenzo) into servitude. Eventually, a ship containing Alonso and Antonio, along with Antonio’s son Ferdinand (also Daspit) is shipwrecked on the island, and father and son are separated, not knowing if the other has made it to shore alive. Ferdinand meets Prospera and Miranda, instantly falling in love with the latter–and the feeling is mutual. Meanwhile, butler Stefano (Pierre) and court jester Trinculo (Held) are stranded on another part of the island and meet with the disgruntled Caliban, who enlists them in a plot against Prospera. Eventually, of course, all the parties are going to meet, but much confusion, hilarity, and reflection ensue in the meantime.
This is a fun, fast-moving production with some quick costume changes, and wonderful use of puppetry, with dazzling puppets designed by Ryan Marshall and operated by the actors. There’s clever staging to account for the fact that there are only six performers each playing multiple roles, and clever costumes designed by Sam Hayes that work well with the quick changes. There’s also excellent use of music and sound, as performers use various instruments for sound effects and accompaniment, and cast members Jacobs and Turner each get moments to showcase their excellent vocals.
The cast is energetic and cohesive, working well together and managing the quick character changes with style. Turner as Prospera projects a strong air of authority, as well as a range of emotions as the story progresses. Held is also strong as the somewhat innocent Miranda and the comical Trinculo. Daspit does well with the distinction between father and son, switching between Alonso and Ferdinand through the donning and doffing of a crown. Daspit and Held as the young lovers display believable and sweet chemistry, as well. There are also strong turns from Pierre and Di Lorenzo in their dual roles, as well as Jacobs, who is marvelous as the ethereal Ariel.
TourCo is such a great idea, and this production works well with their format of small-cast, portable shows that can be performed in a variety of spaces. It works as “entry level” Shakespeare for newbies, or a fun version for seasoned fans of the Bard, as well. With truly stunning puppet work and excellent cast and technical effects, this Tempest is sure to entertain.
Joy Christina Turner
Photo by Theo R. Welling
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
St. Lous Shakespeare Festival’s TourCo will be presenting The Tempest in various locations throughout the St. Louis area until August 25, 2024
