New York’s Aquila Theatre Company will bring the comedy and romance from William
Shakespeare down to the Columbia Theatre for “The Tempest” next weekend.
Courtesy of Lois Greenfield
Audiences should prepare themselves for comedy, romance and more than a little magic as William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” makes its way onto the Columbia Theatre stage.
The performance will take place at the Columbia Theatre this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The production will be put on by the New York-based Aquila Theatre Company. The company aims to bring theatrical works to as many people as possible by touring the United States and participating in international theater festivals. They have received praise for the technical prowess of their cast and crew members, as well as for making older material accessible to 21st century audiences.
The Aquila Company is no stranger to the Columbia stage, but “The Tempest” will be the first Shakespearean production put on at the Columbia in years.
“There were two reasons for bringing them to the Columbia,” said Roy Blackwood, interim director of the Columbia Theatre. “First, we’re familiar with the crew. They’ve come down here before to do previous shows at the Columbia. Secondly, I was interested in bringing a Shakespeare production down here. We have not had one of his plays put on here in a long while, and ‘The Tempest’ was the one they were offering.”
“The Tempest,” considered by most to be Shakespeare’s final play, is the story of the duke turned wizard Prospero, whose usurping brother had banished him from his home land of Milan along with his daughter Miranda. They escape to an enchanted island, which Prospero takes from the creature Caliban. Now years later, he uses sorcery and the service of the wind spirit Ariel to whip up a sea storm, marooning those who had wronged him in the first stage of a vengeful plan. However, Miranda falls in love with Prince Ferdinand, the son of one of Prospero’s enemies. Also, the embittered Caliban is willing to team up with some of the stranded men to destroy the wizard.
Blackwood admires the flexibility and professionalism of the Aquila Theatre.
“[The Aquila Theatre company] is very mobile,” said Blackwood. “They’re not like Broadway, where they stay in one place. Their mobility is what makes them adaptable. They also bring full sets and fabulous costumes with them; it will be a great experience for audiences.”
It is not uncommon for people to be reluctant about Elizabethan drama. When read on the page, the language can confuse modern readers. However, Blackwood thinks even those who do not consider themselves fans of the Bard will find much to enjoy in the Aquila’s modern vision of an old favorite.
“The contemporary twist in their production keeps the material fresh,” said Blackwood. “I think people will be responsive toward that. That’s the beauty of Shakespeare: no matter what time period you set it in, it still works.”
For more information on the Aquila Theatre Company, visit their website at aquilatheatre.com. To get tickets, visit columbiatheatre.org.
Editor's Note: The date and time of this event have been added to this story since publication.