The Tempest

If you’ve never laughed out loud at Shakespeare – and I’m talking proper belly laughs as opposed to self-satisfied guffaws here – then prepared to be caught off guard by the Tron Theatre’s Tempest.

Paddy Cunneen’s production is more riotous than reflective, with the play’s moral message almost at risk of being drowned out by laughter. Imagine the doomed jet in Lost had departed from Prestwick then substitute alcohol for hair products and you’re halfway there.

A cast of eight play more than a dozen roles, with the most significant act of multi-tasking seeing Paul Blair both repel and enchant Helen McAlpine’s loveably dishevelled Miranda in the dual roles of Caliban and Ferdinand.

However, the double act of Matthew Pidgeon and Paul Thomas Hickey as ‘pure steamers’ Stefano and Trinculo almost overshadows the romancing, grieving and soul-searching taking place elsewhere on the island. These two performances, though hilarious, are by no means caricatures. We almost don’t need the extra flourishes in the script, as Shakespeare’s original adjectives for ‘pished’ and ‘manky’ are just as funny when these actors deliver them.

Hickey also plays the scheming Sebastian, with a superior West Coast whine that is suitably obnoxious, and a tartan-clad spirit named Caledonia who needs only utter a few lines to steal all of the thunder.

Jonathan Fensom’s set has the vessel that originally transported Prospero and Miranda run aground on the pebble beach and turned into their home, but the addition of a largely unused grand piano clutters the stage somewhat. Also, the tempest itself is a disappointingly static affair in spite of sinister lighting and the use of multiple levels.

However, the comic scenes alone make this Tempest a thoroughly entertaining night of theatre.