The slickly run Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is an annual gem in the heart of the city, produced by theatre group Everyman. Director Richard Tunley’s production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest is clear in its storytelling, mindful of engaging its audience and shares the joy of the tales of a 400-year-old playwright.
Before the first line is spoken, we are introduced to the hierarchy of the members of the Naples court as they board a jet plane which will be caught in a terrible storm – the tempest of the title – and plummet into the ocean. Ambition, passions and past are brought into focus as, echoing TV drama Lost, there is mayhem, mystery and magic present on the island where they find sanctuary.
Lewis Cook’s Prospero is filled with the heaviness of a man wronged. He hovers over events, as do his issues with sly, newly marooned brother Antonio (Simon Futty). The ousted duke Prospero has spent his own Island isolation with spirit Ariel, enforced servant Caliban and daughter Miranda. Seren Vickers provides depth and integrity in this latter role, giving an emotional spine to the production as she navigates passion, freedom and human relationships beyond her father’s control. Amanda Ataou brings a developed physicality and sprightly ethereal presence to Ariel, backed up by a sharp chorus of elementals.
Elinor O’Leary channels Stacey Solomon as Trinculo, a flight attendant forming a fine comic duo with Dan Ivor Jones’ Stephano. The pair are a fine comic duo and create a suitable pairing with Luigi Challis’ supressed, dehumanised Caliban. Numerous members of Everyman are trained actors, and the experienced cast respond deftly to Tunley’s impish direction with a high standard of performance, punctuated with an evocative soundtrack of 1960s pop hits.
Characters you engage with, a story you follow and lots of laughs to be had: Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival’s The Tempest certainly isn’t a cerebral, academic or ponderous production, but makes for great outdoor summer Shakespeare. Whilst the cast are exposed to the elements, the audience are protected from any potential tempests in covered seating. So treat your nearest and dearest to a walk in the park, refreshment in the pop-up bar and a great play done well.
The Tempest, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Mon 24 June
On until Sat 28 June. Tickets: £25. Info: here
words DAVID BAXTER
