The Tempest - Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on - Screen

After years of having only the BBC's lackluster production and Derek Jarman's very odd version, we are now have three excellent productions to choose. My personal favorite of the new entries is the CBC Stratford Shakespeare Festival version, partly because I was lucky enough to see it live. Not only is the cast headed by the incomparable Christopher Plummer as Prospero but Julyana Soelistyo is so lithe and graceful as Ariel that I was ready to believe that she actually could fly.That said, this new Globe Theatre production -- which is also a filmed stage production recorded in front of a live audience -- is a VERY close second. Roger Allan also heads a strong cast and he is excellent as Prospero (and I suppose more appropriate in that role in the sense that Prospero is really just middle-aged rather than old). As true with all the Globe Theatre videos, this version offers the chance to see how the original might have been staged in a playhouse from Shakespeare's era. I think this version would also prove more accessible to students in the classroom as it plays up more of the comic aspects of the action.Just for completeness, I should add that the third verison of THE TEMPEST is Julie Taymor's film version with Helen Mirren as Prospera. While changing the lead role to a female does create some interesting new aspects, Taymor's attempt to create a cinematic counterpart to Shakespeare's play does not work for me. I can recommend it only as a curiousity.

The creator/free will story that will spark a year of conversations with your teens.We read the play, then saw the Helen Mirren’s version, then this version.Starting from scratch with different students, I would do this version, then read the play, then the Helen Mirren version.Wonderful staging and well done

Roger Allam and Colin Morgan are outstanding performers. Not to mention Colin Morgan fans, Colin sings!, quite well I might add. There is great humor with each talented actor/characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this performance of Shakespeare's Tempest. There are morals here that effect everyone in human compassion, forgiveness, and love. Their characters were in harmonious sync with each other and were all believable, and moving to the point I didn't want the Play to end. Very enjoyable cast! Well done! I look forward to seeing more from Globe Theatre.

Finally, a production of Shakespeare's Tempest on video that understands that for all of the things that make this play significant as a late Shakespeare work (and likely his official farewell to the theater), at its heart this play is a comedy from the beginning to the end. The Tempest deals with serious issues resulting from Great Britain's early attempts at colonization in the New World, but even the victimization of the aboriginal character Caliban is lost if we do not see through the comedy Prospero's foolishness and cruelty in how he lords over this island of his banishment.

It is refreshing to see a comedy/drama without intensive use of high tech special effects. It was up to to the actors/actresses to carry the show.That is to say the show was preformer driven as opposed to special effects driven. Shakespeare's Globe Theater delivers as authenic as possible the experience of the performance Shakespearean play as it may have been done in Skakespeare's day.

While I would not consider myself an avid follower of Shakespeare, as I find his work confusing in parts, I enjoyed this video immensely. Roger Allam was perfect in his role, and Colin Morgan is the absolute best. The entire show was so captivating, with just the right amount of drama and comedy, that I found myself totally into this video. If all of Shakespeare's work is this entertaining, I need to watch more of them. I would recommend this video to all.

Another lovely Globe production. Roger Allam makes a fine Prospero, and Colin Morgan is terrific as Ariel. A very enjoyable Tempest.

This version (very spare set and true to the Globe) is astounding and sucks you right in! Very funny,watch and listen carefully to get all the physical humor and snappy word play! 'Calaban' is wonderful, rude, silly and endearing.

Wonderfully cast, lovely costumes. The energy of the performers was infectious. Prospero, his daughter and Ariel were all portrayed with genius, no weak performances at all.

Love Shakespeare, the Globe Theatre is amazing. Bought it for my love of Colin Morgan, but was captivated by the whole cast and story. Simply wonderful.

A wonderful version of this play. The chemistry between Roger Allam and Colin Morgan was enjoyable.

👍👍

Great