Derek Jacobi presented a vital and thrilling Prospero, who was only just on the brink of middle age.
In this version of The Tempest, Prospero - played by Derek Jacobi - was caught in an anguished internal struggle with his emotions, motives and desires. He was not fully in control of himself, let alone the action of the play. His magic garment was that of a Renaissance magus, decorated with occult signs, and his finely-fashioned magic staff was topped with a pointing hand.
The betrothal masque took place beneath a beautiful crown-like canopy of golden leaves. The set itself was that of the ruined ship on which Prospero and his daughter had arrived on the island 12 years before. This set, with appropriate lighting, doubled for the storm-tossed ship in the play's opening scene.