The Tempest

There is probably no theatre company like the Shepherd's Purse Theatre and there is definitely no small town anywhere in the world like Tyalgum, half an hour’s drive from Murwillumbah in far northern NSW. Walking into this town and seeing their shows is a little like a dream out of an old musical. It is so magical, so unique.

Last year I wrote about their amazing production of Shakespeare in Love, only the second production ever staged in Australia (outside of the original by the MTC).  Now comes another visit and another night of unique magic with their production this year of The Tempest, now journeying once again deep into the actual words and ideas of the bard himself.

The result is a night of total joy, humour, originality and just a touch of over-the- top acting. Yes, it’s not as perfect a production as last year, but the wild enthusiasm of the actors combined with Shakespeare's tale of magic and confusion on a small island is so beguiling, a little of the overtly enthusiastic acting is swept away in a sea of goodwill and commitment.

There are some truly unique elements of this production; the company gained special permission to use the original songs and score from the Royal Shakespeare production of 2016,  written by Oscar nominated composer Paul Englishby. The result is one of the many unique elements of this whole experience, as the actors bring that original score to life with a little help from one of Australia's leading musical directors -Andrew Worboys - who prepared the music for them.

The production is populated by mostly fully professional actors, joining members of the town who mostly fill in the supporting roles. The one exception to this is Solar Chapel who directed the production as well as playing Prospero, the magical Duke who directs and dictates all that happens in this wild whirlwind of a play (Shakespeare's last fully completed work). Chapel carries the role off with dignity and power, a beautifully modulated performance supported with great magical charm by Desire' Mon Dieu as the helpful and mischievous sprite Ariel, Amy Stockow as the sweet and attractive Miranda and especially Jon Latomi who all but steals the show as Caliban.

This remarkable production, like Shakespeare in Love, is staged as a fully immersive experience. The first three scenes are staged outdoors in three designated spots. This is followed by a feast fit for royalty with some of the most magnificent food I have ever eaten, then the second and third acts are staged in their small theatre in the heart of their large cafe. There is no theatrical experience quite like this and one leaves five hours later full of good food, good cheer, warmed by the glow of the performance and by the utter unique nature of the way the whole event is handled with such perfect professionalism. They only do three performances once a year and it's worth a trip to the north to see the next one, whatever that may be. This is a theatre like nowhere else in the country. Bravo! As a direct quote from the show – “it is such stuff as dreams are made on”.

Les Solomon