“The Tempest” by Shakespeare in the adaptation created by the iconic, world-renowned British director Peter Brook is one of the most famous adaptations worldwide of this classic tale. The Tempest is an enigma, a fable where nothing can be taken literally, because, if we stay on the surface of the play, its inner quality escapes us. For the actors, as well as for the audience, it is a play that reveals itself by playing it. It’s like Music.
Peter Brook was born in London in 1925. Throughout his career, he distinguished himself in various genres: theatre, opera, cinema and writing. He directed his first play there in 1943. He then went on to direct over 70 productions in London, Paris and New York.
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A show resulting from research around The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Adapted and directed by Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne
Lighting design Philippe Vialatte
Songs by Harué Momoyama
With Sylvain Levitte, Paula Luna, Fabio Maniglio, Luca Maniglio, Marilú Marini and Ery Nzaramba
The Tempest is an enigma, it is a fable where nothing seems to be taken literally and if we stay on the surface of the play its hidden quality escapes us.
There is a word that comes up very often in the play, it is the word “freedom” – And as always with Shakespeare the word is not used in an obvious way, it comes as a suggestion, it resonates throughout the play like an echo —-
Caliban wants his freedom, Ariel his which is not the same and for Prospero, He must free himself from the task he has imposed on himself, revenge, and everything that goes with it, and that prevents him from being free. Duke Prospero, immersed in his books, in search of the occult, remained in his dreams and was betrayed by his brother.
Arriving as an exile on the island, one would think that he would find his freedom because he possesses the art of magic and can transform the elements as he pleases.
But this magic does not belong to humans. A true man must not obscure the midnight sun —- nor take the dead out of their graves, — unleash a terrible storm and take his former enemies prisoner. The desire for revenge devours Prospero, he will only forgive when he sees love – the love that his own daughter feels for the son of his enemy the King of Naples – invade and transform the two young people. He will then have to face himself and his heart and decide that he must leave the magic, bury his staff, forgive the usurpers, especially his own brother, give Ariel and even Caliban their freedom, renounce the power that his magic gave him. To finally stay before us, humble, asking for forgiveness.
The last word of the play – arguably the last word Shakespeare wrote – is the word Free.
Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne
