First Class Production of the The Tempest at The Forest

by Susan Goldbeck

            Shakespeare afficionados will appreciate the Pacific Repertory Theater’s production of The Tempest at the outdoor Forest theater in Carmel.  It is a first-class group of actors led by Michael Ray Wisely who turned in a very impressive performance as Prospero.

This is a small cast in which some characters play more than one part. I was impressed with all of the players facility with the language and of course uttering the many now -famous Shakespeare lines which have become so much a part of our modern vernacular. ‘That Shakespeare fellow sure knew how to turn a phrase!

Although "The Tempest" is billed as a comedy, it is rarely performed among Shakespeare's plays, and did not feel comedic to me. Anjoli Aguilar was excellent in a dual role, the main one being Prospero’s daughter Ariel. She often gave her lines from her acrobatic position on silks hung from the ceiling a la’ Circ du Soleil. Indeed Ms. Aguilar trained for the part at the San Francisco Circus center. She was graceful and beautiful and made you think you were watching a ballet with an acrobatic twist. It was impressive.

      I enjoyed the usual court jester-type characters found in many of Shakespeare plays. They were dressed as modern clowns, red nose and all, and were ably played by Brian Herndon and River Navaille. They also added a bit of circus- seasoning to the production.

      It is hard to leave out anyone else because they were all excellent, and for opening night, not a slip was heard from any of them. And, of course, the timing and delivery of Shakespeare is not easy. This cast handled it perfectly.

The Tempest can be seen at the Forest through October 18^th.