Deep in the heart of last year’s lockdowns, Castlemaine Theatre Company was busy producing their very own Covid-Proof production of Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest.
Is blood thicker than water? Two charismatic sisters, one mad, the other bad, embark on contrasting paths to power; drawn into a festering conflict, they take a winding and magical route to redemption.
David Thrussell’s original score paints an expansive, dangerous and intoxicating landscape encompassing driving electronic beats and magisterial, mystical themes.
The production was conceived by CTC President Kate Stones as an audio project, which was recorded at their new home at The Etty Street Studio in Castlemaine. Kate reflects that “we were incredibly lucky that locally-based and internationally-renowned electronic musician and composer David Thrussell had just had an international tour cancelled due to Covid. Thrussell agreed to compose the score for our podcast, and the result is a lush, expansive sonic landscape, with a timeless yet contemporary feel.” They divided Shakespeare’s original script into four episodes, averaging approximately 50mins each. The episodes were aired weekly on Castlemaine’s own 94.9mainFM radio station in 2021.
The Tempest takes place on an enchanted island populated with strange creatures and spirits where a banished duke plots to get revenge on his usurping brother. In the CTC version, they have adapted the original script altering the gender of the main character, Prospera, with her sister Antonia. The play deals with themes of power, revenge, and ultimate forgiveness. The Tempest is known as Shakespeare’s most musical play, and David Thrussell’s incredible score describes the island with dynamic energy, beauty, darkness and light. The music deftly supports the performances of the CTC’s cohort of experienced and talented actors.
Audiences say:
“Listening right now to The Tempest. Marvellous! Sound design is beautiful and immersing. The shipwreck…stunning. Oh, and the music…fantastic! Very good performances overall and seamlessly embedded in the atmospherics. Congratulations!”
“The Tempest is a great production. David Thrussell’s music is intense and enveloping”
“Shakespeare with a very contemporary feel. Sounds amazing!”
To listen to CTC’s The Tempest, go to : https://www.castlemainetheatrecompany.com/whats-on/the-tempest-podcast/ – and be sure to make a donation.
The Tempest, a podcast in 4 episodes, created by the Castlemaine Theatre Company, directed by Kate Stones with original music by David Thrussell.
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