The Tempest – the final work of genius from the world’s greatest playwright – is this year’s UFV Shakespeare production.
Combining romance, comedy and spectacle, The Tempest is truly “the stuff that dreams are made on.”
It’s the theatre department’s second stab at the classic, the first being staged in March 1995, as the first Shakespeare production in our then brand new theatre complex. That production was directed by Dr. Bruce Kirkley, who will also direct this year’s run.
Follow the travails of Prospero, a brooding Renaissance Magus, marooned on a remote island with his young daughter, Miranda. Banished by his usurping brother from his rightful position as the Duke of Milan, he awaits the right planetary conjunction to work his magnum opus and gain his revenge. Aided by his mercurial servant Ariel but stymied by the brutish monster Caliban, Prospero is a man with a mission.
The role of Prospero will be played by Glen Pinchin. Glen has appeared in several roles for the department, his most recent being Colonel Burnett in School House during November, 2009. Danielle Warmenhoven makes her debut for the department as Prospero’s daughter, Miranda. Catrina Lewis, recently seen as Tintabula in A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum, takes the role of Ariel and Gabe Kirkley, who played Miles Gloriosus in that production, is Caliban.
The Tempest opens Friday, March 11 in the theatre on the Chilliwack campus and runs March 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m. with a half-price preview March 10 at 7.30 pm. and matinees Sunday March 20 and 27 at 2pm. and Wednesday, March 9, Monday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 15 at 12: noon.
The Tempest, Sunday, March 20 matinee is a pay-what-you-can event, with a minimum recommended price of only $8. General ticket prices $13 to $16.Call 604-795-2814 or theatre@ufv.ca