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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Listening to direction

Director Rupert Goold talks to Joseph Alessi and Craig Gazey.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Scary harpy

Joseph Alessi and Craig Gazey, as Stephano and Trinculo, react to a harpy (Emma Jay Thomas).

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Fleeing the harpies

John Light, Joseph Alessi and Craig Gazey (Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo) rehearse fleeing after dressing up in Act 4 Scene 1.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Argh!

Craig Gazey (Trinculo) reacts as a harpy (Emma Jay Thomas) appears from a barrel.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

"What a wardrobe here is for thee!"

Craig Gazey (Trinculo) tries on robes for Act 4 Scene 1.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Directing team

Director Rupert Goold and, in the background, assistant director Steve Marmion.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

"O brave monster! Lead the way."

Joseph Alessi (Stephano) and John Light (Caliban). In the background is a wooden replica of the scenery - an ice slope and Caliban's boat.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

An abominable monster

John Light (Caliban) silences Joseph Alessi (Stephano) while Patrick Stewart (Prospero) watches from behind the ice.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02
Copyright: © RSC 2006

"Bravely the figure of this harpyhast thou perform'd, my Ariel."

Act 3 Scene 3 - Patrick Stewart (Prospero) watches as Julian Bleach (Ariel) exits. Lords Edmund Kingsley and Ken Bones (Francisco and Antonio) are left with the sledge.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02

Ariel's physicality

Julian Bleach developed a strange physicality for Ariel - he moves, almost floating, slowly and deliberately, slightly hunched.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02

The Lords

Chris Jarman and John Hopkins (Adrian and Sebastian).

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02

Caliban's physicality

John Light experiments with movement for Caliban. He is wearing wrist, elbow and knee guards for protection.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02

An ape-like Caliban

John Light tries out using his hands for walking. Walking on the knuckles gives Caliban an ape-like physicality.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02

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

John Light (Caliban) and Patrick Stewart (Prospero) rehearse Act 5 Scene 1.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-07-02

"This thing of darkness I acknowledge mine."