Exploring Shakespeare

The Tempest - Act 1 Scene 2

Miranda (Mariah Gale) challenges her father Prospero (Patrick Stewart) and he reveals more about her background.

The Tempest - Act 2 Scene 2

Stephano (Joseph Alessi) encounters Trinculo (Craig Gazey) sheltering from the storm with Caliban (John Light).

Performance photo gallery

Explore Rupert Goold's 2006 RSC production set in the Arctic from the storm and shipwreck to the wedding masque and the final resolution.

Rehearsal photo gallery

Join The Tempest company behind the scenes in rehearsal.

Design photo gallery

View set designer Giles Cadle's model box and sketches by costume designer Nicky Gillibrand.

Director interview (Steve Marmion)

Steve, the assistant director, discusses interpretive choices made in this production including magic, music and the unusual setting.

Teachers' notes [PDF 560K]

Activities for teaching Much Ado, based on RSC rehearsal room practice. (You need PDF reader software.)

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You mar our labour: keep your cabins: you do assist the storm.

The play begins with a shipping forecast. The stage is hidden by a screen and we the mariners through the speaker of a radio.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Mercy on us! We split, we split, we split!

The lords begin to panic as the storm gets worse.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

If by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar, allay them.

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) stands in his magic cloak. Miranda (Mariah Gale) challenges him about the storm.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and she said thou wast my daughter.

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) tells Miranda (Mariah Gale) about her background.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Dost thou forget from what a torment I did free thee?

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) talks to Ariel (Julian Bleach) while Miranda (Mariah Gale) sleeps.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Abhorred slave, which any print of goodness will not take, being capable of all ill!

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) and Caliban (John Light)

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Where should this music be? i'th' air, or th' earth?

Ferdinand (Nick Court) does not see Ariel (Julian Bleach) but hears the song.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I might call him a thing divine; for nothing natural I ever saw so noble.

Miranda (Mariah Gale) sees Ferdinand (Nick Court), the first man she's seen other than her father Prospero (Patrick Stewart, centre) and Caliban.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I can here disarm thee with this stick and make thy weapon drop.

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) causes Ferdinand (Nick Court) to freeze before he can strike with his axe.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Look, he's winding up the watch of his wit; and by and by it will strike.

Sebastian (John Hopkins) and Gonzalo (James Hayes) try to talk to Alonso (Finbar Lynch).

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Now, good angels preserve the king!

Gonzalo (Jame Hayes) and Sebastian (John Hopkins) prepare to stab the sleeping lords. Ariel (Julian Bleach, top) wakes the lords up in time.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

All the infections that the sun sucks up from bogs, fens, flats, on Prospero fall�

Caliban (John Light) drags his boat through the storm.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Dead or alive? A fish: he smells like a fish.

Trinculo (Craig Gazey) finds Caliban (John Light). Trinculo wears frying pans as snowshoes!

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Open your mouth: this will shake your shaking, I can tell you.

Stephano (Joseph Alessi) arrives drunk and feeds Caliban (John Light) some alcohol. Trinculo (Craig Gazey) hides with Caliban.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

A plague upon the tyrant that I serve!

Caliban (John Light) decides to follow Stephano (Joseph Alessi, centre) instead. Trinculo (Craig Gazey) watches.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I would not wish any companion in the world but you.

Miranda (Mariah Gale) tells Ferdinand (Nick Court) she would like to be his wife.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I did not give thee the lie: Out o' your wits and hearing too?

Trinculo (Craig Gazey) protests when Stephano (Joseph Alessi) hits him, thinking he's spoken when in fact it was Ariel (Julian Bleach).

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

Caliban's (John Light, right) thther is used as a skipping rope by Stephano (Joseph Alessi, left) and Trinculo (Craig Gazey).

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 2
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

What harmony is this? My good friends, hark!

Three mysterious figures drag a sledge carrying a large seal. They leave, inviting the lords to eat it.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 3
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28
Copyright: © RSC 2006

The powers, delaying, not forgetting, have incens'd the seas and shores�

Ariel (Julian Bleach) emerges from the seal's innards and speaks to the lords.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 3
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

As my gift and thine own acquisition worthily purchas'd, take my daughter.

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) gives Ferdinand (Nick Court) permission to marry his daughter.

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

Sit then, and talk with her, she is thine own.

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) leaves Ferdinand (Nick Court) with Miranda (Mariah Gale).

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-07-28

Go with me to bless this twain, that they may prosperous be...

Iris, Ceres and Juno (Allyson Brown, Emma Jay Thomas and Golda Rosheuvel) bless the wedding of Miranda (Mariah Gale) and Ferdinand (Nick Court).

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

Scarcity and want shall shun you; Ceres' blessing so is on you.

Iris, Ceres and Juno (Allyson Brown, Emma Jay Thomas and Golda Rosheuvel) bless the wedding of Miranda (Mariah Gale) and Ferdinand (Nick Court).

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

I charm'd their ears that, calf-like, they my lowing follow'd...

Ariel (Julian Bleach) tells Prospero (Patrick Stewart) that Caliban is on his way.

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

Do that good mischief, which may make this island thine own for ever.

Caliban (John Light) and Stephano (Joseph Alessi) arrive at Prospero's cell.

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

If I did think, sir, I were well awake, I'd strive to tell you.

The Boatswain (Paul Barnhill) cannot explain how they survived the storm.

Act and Scene: Act 5 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

How fine my master is! I am afraid he will chastise me.

Caliban (John Light) is brought before Prospero (Patrick Stewart).

Act and Scene: Act 5 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

What a thrice-doudle ass was I, to take this drunkard for a god.

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) forgives Caliban (John Light) who realises his mistake in following Stephano.

Act and Scene: Act 5 Scene 1
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28

As you from crimes would pardon'd be, let your indulgence set me free.

Prospero (Patrick Stewart) appeals to the audience for applause.

Act and Scene: Epilogue
Credit: Manuel Harlon
Date: 2006-07-28