★★★★
Staged with no grand magic, big opening storm or reassuring climax of liberation? Experimental theatre-maker Tim Crouch’s candlelit account of Shakespeare’s valedictory play at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse certainly isn’t an easy sell. Yet this inventive spin from Crouch, who stars as Prospero as well as directing, succeeds in casting a persuasive spell, and grapples intelligently with the play’s key theme of forgiveness.

★★★★ Crouch has crafted a compelling reimagining, infused with a rough, melancholy magic that is as irresistible as it is quietly heartbreaking.

★★★★ a refreshingly quirky take on Shakespeare’s tale

…this painfully high-concept production…

Who better to breathe new life into Shakespeare’s Tempest than Tim Crouch – a magician extraordinaire of the 21st century British theatre? There are several strands of his career that land right here in perfect harmony.

Tim Crouch’s cerebral meta-Tempest is a lot of fun (so long as you know what you’re letting yourself in for)