The Tempest

 

Milan's deposed duke Prospero and his gorgeous daughter Miranda have been discovered alive and well - on a desert island. And now wedding bells are ringing for young Miranda and Ferdinand, the dashing heir to the throne of Naples. Prospero, thought killed when his brother Antonio took over Milan in suspicious circumstances, had actually been living in luxury on the island for the past twelve years. Always a bit of a wizard, the sorcery student had used his magical skills on the island's inhabitants - airy spirit Ariel and moody monster

O brave new world, That has such people in't! Miranda (above, centre) Act 5, Sc 1

Caliban - who waited on him hand and foot. Despite his cosy life, he was set on paying back his double-dealing brother and crony Alonso, King of Naples, who'd conspired to dupe him of his dukedom. So when their ship came sailing by, it was revenge time! With a wave of his wand, Prospero BEACHED the ship and: CONVINCED Alonso that his son Ferdinand was drowned; Left the shipwrecked lords AGHAST with magical visions; TERRIFIED the traitors Antonio and Alonso;

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Prospero Duke of Milan, until his brother deposed him. Luckily for him his magic studies allowed him to control the spirits of the island he and his daughter were abandoned on. Miranda Miranda was only tiny when she and Prospero were abandoned on the island, so Ferdinand was the first young man she'd ever seen! She's a real catch for him. Ariel This airy spirit can fly, become invisible and make illusions. Controlled by Prospero, Ariel does the old duke's bidding - but with one eye on being free again. Caliban Living on the island before Prospero, Caliban is a monstrous creature who repaid Prospero's initial kindness by trying to rape Miranda. Since then, the two haven't got on.

Finally, he FOILED a plot between Caliban and drunken sailors Trinculo and Stephano to take over the island. But the magician soon showed his softer side. When Miranda and Ferdinand fell hard for one another, Prospero arranged an amazing illusion show for them. And after Ariel gave him an earful for his treatment of Alonso and Antonio, he freed and even forgave them. As the happy group left the island, Prospero had one last command for hard-working Ariel that must have come as a great relief to everyone - "calm seas"! We are such stuff As dreams are made on; and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. Prospero 4, 1. You taught me language, and my profit on't Is I know how to curse. Caliban Act I Sc II

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