Actors from the London Stage Are Back at Utah State with 'The Tempest'

The magic unfolds as the self-directed ensemble of five professional British actors of Actors from the London Stage present William Shakespeare’s The Tempest Nov. 10-12 at Utah State University. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. at the Morgan Theatre located in the Chase Fine Arts Center.

“The Tempest is as entertaining as it is reflective on life’s journey — the choices one makes and the consequences of those choices,” said Kenneth Risch, department head of theatre arts at USU. “At the center of the play is a belief in the necessity for forgiveness.”

Set on a remote island, The Tempest — believed by many to be Shakespeare’s final solo work — tells the story of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, who plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place by using illusion and skillful manipulation. The Tempest is a comedy with an atmosphere resembling that of a fairy tale. It is generally considered to be one of Shakespeare’s most mature and most admired plays.

“Because of the minimalist nature of this production, the language truly comes alive and creates the characters and relationships without extensive scenery and costumes,” said Phebe Jensen, co-coordinator and English professor with an emphasis in Shakespeare.

Actors from the London Stage is back for its sixth performance in the last 12 years at Utah State. Sponsors for this year’s production include the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation-Russell Family, the Department of Theatre Arts, the Department of English and the Caine College of the Arts at USU.

As visiting artists, the actors will work directly with USU students through workshops, lectures, seminars and informal meetings, offering opportunities to discuss literature and the art of theater. The actors also provide unique opportunities for students, faculty and community members to witness extraordinary performances by renowned Shakespearean artists drawn from among the most esteemed theater companies in the world.

“This performance is a fabulous opportunity for students and members of the community to see high-caliber professional actors perform in a local setting,” said Adrianne Moore, co-coordinator and theatre arts associate professor at USU. “It’s a unique experience to see a contemporary glimpse of the Shakespearean era at Utah State.”

Actors from the London Stage include artists from prestigious troupes — the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and others. Developed by Homer Swander at the University of California, Actors from the London Stage, working out of London and the University of Notre Dame, provide educational opportunities for students around the country.

“Bringing Actors from the London Stage to Utah State supports the Caine College of the Arts’ mission to encourage a global view of the arts by sponsoring artists of international renown,” said Risch.

Actors from the London Stage is a national outreach program of Shakespeare at Notre Dame. Shakespeare at Notre Dame’s mission is to become a pre-eminent venue for the study and performance of the works of Shakespeare, providing Notre Dame and the wider community an on-campus experience steeped in the works of William Shakespeare — both on the page and on the stage.

A free workshop, open to the public, will be conducted by Actors from the London Stage Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 4 p.m. in the Morgan Theatre.

Tickets for the evening performances are $15 for reserved seating, $10 for seniors and youth and $5 for USU students with ID. To purchase tickets, visit the CCA Box Office located in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, call 435-797-8022 or online.

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Writer: Rachelle Nielson, 435-797-9203, rachelle.nielson@usu.edu

Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu