A Spirit, a King and a Monster enact a dark naked ritual on an enchanted isle in this stripped-down sequel to 'The Tempest'.
At the end of Shakespeare's final play, moon-calf and monster Caliban is left on the beach unclad, unhinged and alone.
Five years later in Milan, his old master - magician, magus and manipulator Prospero - reaches the end of his days. His passing triggers a new storm, a fresh cosmic disturbance that brings two of Caliban's old sparring partners back to the spellbound domain to play out an elemental triangular rite of ambition, dream and desire.
This Jarman-esque fever-dreamed version of events half a decade on from the Bard's late romance is a rich and strange concoction of candid sights and sounds and sweet airs combining to deliver a sensual feast.
Tobi King Bakare and this theatre deserve a shout-out for such a young, diverse audience. There is so much talk about audiences being full of over 60s and why, why can’t theatres get the crowds in to reflect society in general? Well, I’m happy to say that on a rainy Thursday evening, the theatre was completely full.
Caiti Grove on Before I Go in CPT's Spring 2023 season London Theatre Reviews
