Adapting Shakespeare is no easy feat.
And Julie Taymor's take on The Tempest was by no means a failure but it wasn't exactly a triumph.
I think perhaps it was hindered by an overuse of stylistic cgi and too few memorable performances.
But Helen Mirren as the newly female Prospera was more than enough to hold my attention, even through the sleepy haze i was watching it through this morning.
Add to that Ben Wishaw as the mischievous but loyal spirit, Ariel and Djimon Hounsou as his/her monstrous equivalent, Caliban and you've got a damn fine production of one of Shakespeare's most memorable plays.
...
Or maybe i'm just a sucker for anything Shakespeare.
I blame/thank my parents.
Taking my sisters and i to the theatre when we were little.
In Stratford upon-Avon nonetheless.
Introducing us to Leon Garfield's charming animated adaptations.
(The Tempest being one that sticks firmly in my memory)
And providing us with enough of his written works to make us loyal devotees for life.
...
I had no chance.
And thank Prospero for that.
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