The Tempest Reivew Shakespeare's Globe 2005

Genre: Drama
Opened 18 May 2005
Written: By William Shakespeare
Directed: Tim Carroll
Cast: Mark Rylance, Alex Hassell, Edward Hogg
Synopsis: Prospero has been exiled from his dukedom in Milan. With his young daughter he is put to sea to perish. Fortune lands them on a remote island where, twelve years later, his enemies are also apparently shipwrecked.
Other Info: All the characters are played by three actors. The story-telling will be enhanced by three dancers and six musicians.*A Modern practices production exploring clothing, music, dance and settings possible in the Globe of 2005.

What the critics had to say.....
BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "Carroll's deconstructions stretch the imagination and allow some fine, even memorable, moments.....do the quick-fire transformations here produce narrative clarity? Since no actor changes his robe, smock or doublet and hose, I suspect newcomers to The Tempest will struggle at times." LYNN GARDNER for THE GUARDIAN says, "The idea that The Tempest takes place entirely in Prospero's mind is not a new one. But Tim Carroll's production pushes the premise to its theatrical limits with a three-actor version....although the production is often interesting, it fails to be consistently arresting because the central conceit is seldom made a theatrical reality." NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "A production that sadly vanishes up its own concept." PAUL TAYLOR for THE INDEPENDENT says, "Magical and mischievous staging....This fluid production is a joyous and bewitching start to his valedictory season." SUSANNAH CLAPP for THE OBSERVER says,"Tim Carroll has set himself the wilfully baffling task of staging The Tempest with a cast of three and no costume changes. Even the exceptional dexterity of Rylance (in doublet and hose) and Alex Hassell and Edward Hogg (in bad white pyjamas) can't make things clear as they slip from one part to another with only one prop: a rope dangling as a noose."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Independent
The Times
The Observer