The Tempest Tickets

Sam Mendes returns to the stage to direct “The Bridge Project” at the Old Vic Theatre, which sees him helm both “The Tempest” and “As You Like It”, whilst working with actors like Christian Camargo, Juliet Rylance, Michelle Beck, Ron Cephas Jones, Stephen Dillane and Thomas Sadoski. In “The Tempest”, he presents one of Shakespeare’s greatest achievements as a playwright and demonstrates a lasting ability as a theatre director to bring the very best to the stage.

“The Tempest” is believed to be one of Shakespeare’s final plays and apart from some collaborations in the years running up to his death in 1616, it is certainly his last surviving solo work. Penned between 1610 and 1611, then performed in 1611, it would eventually be published alongside much of his great work in the First Folio of 1623, whilst its lasting legacy would make it a popular staging for centuries to come.

It tells the story of a banished Duke of Milan in the form of Prospero, a man who should have spent more time tending to the needs of his people than practicing the art of magic. But he has paid the price for this error, usurped by his brother Antonio and left without a kingdom, a dukedom and even without a home. As a result he is forced to travel at sea with only his daughter by his side where, upon spotting an island, they make a new life for themselves, with Prospero’s magic coming in handy to build a new home. However, Prospero is still reeling from the effects of his usurpation and when he spots a passing ship he relishes in the opportunity to exact revenge upon his treacherous court. Conjuring up a gigantic wave he brings to him those responsible for his fall from grace – his old friends and, of course, his usurping brother.

Actor Christian Camargo is an American performer who has appeared on Broadway and in television shows such as “Dexter”. His stage credits include “Kit Marlowe” at the Public Theater in New York, “All My Sons” opposite John Lithgow and Dianne West and “Hamlet” for the New Audience. As part of “The Bridge Project” he also stars in the sister production “As You Like It”.

“The Tempest” appears at the Old Vic Theatre from Saturday 12th June 2010 to Saturday 21st August 2010.