FHS theater will enchant audiences in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’
Flathead High School student Gracyne Johnson plays Prospero, the dethroned duchess, island refugee and puppet master out for revenge in Shakespeare's "The Tempest." Performances will be held April 27, 28 and 20 at Flathead. (Photo courtesy of FHS)
Lovers, conjurors, and shipwrecked wanderers take the stage at Flathead High School in Shakespeare’s epic romance, “The Tempest.”
“‘The Tempest’ is a fantastical story about revenge and forgiveness with magic and shipwrecks thrown in,” director Jennifer Stebbins said.
Flathead High School Theatre presents the classic play April 27-29.
Robbed of her position, power and wealth, the former duchess, Prospero, has been stranded on an island with her young daughter. But this is no ordinary woman, and this is no ordinary island. For 12 years, Prospero uses magic to rule over the island, bending nature and the island’s inhabitants to her will.
“Prospero, whose dukedom was stolen from her by her sibling, was sent off to die at sea with her small daughter. They end up on a magically inhabited island where she improves her already blossoming magical abilities,” Stebbins said.
When a sail appears on the horizon, Prospero reaches out across the ocean to the ship that carries the men who wronged her. With the help of her spirit servant, Ariel, Prospero causes a shipwreck and sets out to gain revenge. Determined to elevate her daughter to her rightful, royal position, she uses illusion and skillful manipulation to separate the shipwrecked survivors on the island. This sorcerer leads her enemies through a fantastic dream where in the end all, including Prospero, must choose between vengeance and the freedom that can only come with reconciliation and forgiveness.
“I originally chose this show because I was excited to make a boat crash on stage and I've loved finding ways to make all the magical elements come alive with moving set pieces, costumes, prosthetics and lighting,” Stebbins said. “I hope the audience gets to spend an hour and a half stepping into [a] fairy tale and that they come away with an appreciation for Shakespeare and the hard work of the high school students in Flathead High School Theatre Department.”
As one of Shakespeare’s last and strangest plays, “The Tempest” features betrayal, revenge, treachery and sorcery as well as comedy and romance which makes it difficult to classify. Is it a tragedy, comedy or romance? Just as challenging are the poetic words, twisting plotlines and the theoretical writing style of Shakespeare. The cast has worked hours to present the play in an accessible way.
“We have spent so much time learning how to interpret and express Shakespeare's words so that the audience can understand the story. It's hard work and it doesn't come very naturally,” Stebbins said. “It’s a privilege to watch high school actors begin to really understand their characters and what their characters are saying. Some of my favorite moments directing Shakespeare are when a student looks up from a script after really understanding a joke Shakespeare makes and say with genuine astonishment, ‘Shakespeare was funny.’”
Performances will begin at 6:27 p.m. April 27, 28 and 29 at the David M. Hashley Theater in Flathead High School. A 1:30 p.m. matinee is also planned April 29. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens, and are available in the main office of the school and Photo Video Plus. Tickets will also be sold at the door.