Setting, Acting Turn ‘Tempest’ Into Drizzle

To begin with, Shakespeare’s original idea for “The Tempest” came from reports of a violent tornado that had sunk a ship called the Sea Venture off the coast of Barbados in 1609. He long had been fascinated by the New World and the stories adventurers brought back.

But Nicholas E. Boicourt Jr., in his production of “The Tempest” at the Tribune Theatre, has set the play on “an unknown Mediterranean isle,” which not only subverts its historical and political intent but takes away its theatrical color.

It also makes Caliban (Jennifer Bishton) into a screeching, indecipherable cockney hag, instead of what Shakespeare intended: a representation based on contemporary reports of the natives found in the New World.

Boicourt’s edited version has taken most of the magic, emotional and social, out of the play, and it was magic in various forms that the Bard was talking about. Even more noticeable than Boicourt’s indiscreet cutting is the inability of most of the cast to make any dramatic connection with the text, or to exhibit any understanding of the poetry of the dialogue.

The two exceptions are Bradley A. Whitfield as Prospero and Robert Shirreffs as Ariel. Though he looks too young to be Prospero, Whitfield misses neither the intent of the dialogue nor the poetry; his is a solid performance that deserves a richer setting. Shirreffs’ Ariel is earthbound, more like Puck, but the actor understands the little-boy-lost quality in the character, the desperate hunger to be freed from bondage, and Ariel’s infectious sense of humor.

*

Prospero’s naive, innocent young daughter Miranda (Cammie J. d’Entremont) and her just-as-naive new lover Ferdinand (Michael Murphy) look deliciously enamored. But like the rest of the company they sound as though they’re in junior English class and suddenly have been asked to read their lines.

The production itself is fascinating visually, especially considering all it accomplishes on such a postage-stamp-sized stage. The storm at the beginning is exciting, Gina Karaba’s costumes are on target, Joaquin Rodas and Lisa Gonzalez’s lighting is effective, and Jerry Chavez’s special effects are impressive.

* “The Tempest,” Tribune Theatre, 116 1/2 Wilshire Ave., Fullerton. Fridays through Sundays at 8:30 p.m. Ends Oct. 16. $5. (714) 525-3403. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes. Bradley A. Whitfield: Prospero

Robert Shirreffs: Ariel

Cammie J. d’Entremont: Miranda

Michael Murphy: Ferdinand

Jennifer Bishton: Caliban

A Revolving Door production of Shakespeare’s drama, directed by Nicholas E. Boicourt Jr. Scenic design: Michael Mollo. Costume design: Gina Karaba. Lighting design: Joaquin Rodas, Lisa Gonzalez. Sound design: Star Mobley. Special effects: Jerry Chavez.