Book Reviews and More: The Tempest

The Tempest

2026

Stratford Festival

Director Antoni Cimolino

Set and Costume Designer Julie Fox

Lighting Designer Imogen Wilson

Composer Berthold Carrière

Sound Designer Ranil Sonnadara

Movement Director Adrienne Gould

Fight and Intimacy Director Anita Nittoly

Executive Producer David Auster

Creative Planning Director Jason Miller

Casting Director Ari Weinberg

The Tempest - Stratford 2026 PlayBill Cover

In the weeks leading up to seeing this production, I reread The Pelican Classic edition of the play, and watched the video version directed by Cimolino from 2018. A frequent description of the 2018 version was ‘Visually stunning!’, that could easily be said again for this staging. It truly is a force. The lights, the sounds, the staging turns it into an epic presentation.

Over the last few years my children and I have been attending Stratford and reviewing all the plays we attend. We have a great appreciation for the bard, and typically attend all plays of his works, and usually a few others as well. Prior to attending my son and I try and read a copy of the play, usually the Oxford School Shakespeare or the Pelican Classic Editions. And we often try and watch a production or 2 before seeing it in person. I believe the festival has put on The Tempest 9 times, the first being in 1962 and this season 2026, which we will be attending next week. Prior to attending this staging we watched the 2018 presentation. That film version we watched was the penultimate production of it. It was also directed by Antoni Cimolino, 2026 is his final season as artistic director and he selected plays based on his favourites from his tenure at the festival. It is fascinating to compare this version on stage in 2026 with the version that was on stage in 2018 and on film in 2019.

The summary of the play on the festival site states:

“The storm is only the beginning

On an enchanted island, a deposed duke uses his magical powers to conjure a storm at sea, bringing him face to face with the brother who betrayed him. As old quarrels are resolved, love blossoms for a new generation.”

The synopsis in the house program states:

“Exiled from Milan by his treacherous brother, Antonio, the former Duke Prospero has lived on a remote island for 12 years with his daughter, Miranda. There, through his study of magic, he commands the spirit Ariel and rules over the island’s otherworldly inhabitants, including the creature Caliban. When the ship carrying Antonio, Alonso, the King of Naples, and Alonso’s son Ferdinand passes nearby, Prospero conjures a powerful storm to bring them ashore. As the castaways are separated and led through strange trials, Prospero sets in motion a plan for justice, reconciliation and renewal – while Miranda and Ferdinand’s unexpected encounter opens the possibility of a brighter future.”

When we go and see the play in person we have an almost an hour drive home, and usually spend the time discussing the performance. My daughter in an unneeded confession shared that three times she literally jumped out of her seat. The opening storm, you literally feel yourself caught out in a thunderstorm, you can feel the sound and lightning strikes, it is very visceral and draws those in attendance in immediately.

The full cast is:

The Island

Prospero – The Former Duke Of Milan - Geraint Wyn Davies

Miranda – His Daughter - Ashley Dingwell

Ariel – A Spirit, Servant To Prospero - Marissa Orjalo

Caliban – Servant To Prospero - Jonathan Goad

The Court

Alonso – King Of Naples - David Collins

Ferdinand – His Son - Dakota Jamal Wellman

Antonio – Duke Of Milan, Prospero’s Brother - Gordon S. Miller

Sebastian – Alonso’s Brother - Micah Woods

Gonzala – Councilor To Alonso - Fiona Reid

Trinculo – Alonso’s Chef - Josue Laboucane

Stephano – Alonso’s Butler - Ben Carlson

Francisco – Courtier To Alonso - Michael Wamara

Adrian – Courtier To Alonso - Landon Nesbitt

Shipmaster - Emilio Vieira

Boatswain - Jamie Mac

Spirits

Iris - Michelle Giroux

Ceres - Jenna-Lee Hyde

Juno - Allison Lynch

Ship Sailors and Spirits Of The Island

Jacqueline Burtney

Paul Dunn

Jakob Ehman

Katarina Fiallos

Jenna-Lee Hyde

John Kirkpatrick

Allison Lynch

Rose Napoli

Landon Nesbitt

Maher Sinno

Emilio Vieira

Michael Wamara

The Understudies:

Iris, Juno - Jacqueline Burtney

Prospero - Ben Carlson

Trinculo, Sailor, Spirit - Paul Dunn

Caliban, Sailor, Spirit - Jakob Ehman

Miranda, Ceres, Spirit - Katarina Fiallos

Sailor, Spirit - Jenna-Lee Hyde

Stephano, Spirit - John Kirkpatrick

Ariel, Sailor, Spirit - Allison Lynch

Gonzala, Sailor, Spirit - Rose Napoli

Francisco, Adrian, Sailor, Spirit - Maher Sinno

Rehearsal Understudy - Shannon Taylor

Antonio, Boatswain - Emilio Vieira

Sebastian, Ferdinand - Michael Wamara

Alonso - Micah Woods

One of the things the kids and I often talk about is our favourite performers. We typically call out or top 5. And share why. My daughter who is 15 immediately shouted the Jelly Fish. And they were done in an incredible way. But our actual picks are:

My top ranking for the performers would be:

Geraint Wyn Davies as Propsero

Marissa Orjalo as Ariel a Spirit

Dakota Jamal Wellman as Ferdinand

Ashley Dingwell as Miranda

My son's (18) top picks are:

Jonathan Goad as Caliban

Josue Laboucane as Trinculo

Dakota Jamal Wellman as Ferdinand

Geraint Wyn Davies as Propsero

Allison Lynch as Juno

My daughters (15) were:

Marissa Orjalo as Ariel a Spirit

Ashley Dingwell as Miranda

Geraint Wyn Davies as Propsero

Dakota Jamal Wellman as Ferdinand

Allison Lynch as Juno

I will note three of the cast are in both the 2018 and 2026 production, they are:

David Collins

Emilio Vieira

Josue Laboucane

This was an excellent production. We attended the first public performance, and were amazing by the play. It is visually stunning. The set is amazing. And the Spirits are amazing. The costumes are outstanding. My daughter was creeped out by 2 of them, and loved some of the others. The costume covered in clams and barnacles that said on the set piece and completely blended in was excellent. And the set pieces of shells, chests and even the piano in a sort of crate were awesome. The casting was perfect. I have been a long-time fan of the works of Geraint and that appreciation has grown as I have seen him in productions over the last few seasons. A story that takes place over a single afternoon that has so much packed into it.

My kids and I often keep an eye out for the filming taking place at Stratford, and would go back to see this again for the filming without hesitation. I am incredibly thankful my children have discovered a love for theatre, and for the amazing productions at Stratford. I loved seeing two productions of this play directed by Antoni Cimolino but yet very different staging’s and presentations. It is a real masterpiece. I highly recommend it, if you have the chance go this season, and if not maybe on Stratford@Home or other streaming in the future!

Note: Photos by David Hou/Stratford Festival or our own.