THE TEMPEST Maumbury Rings, Dorchester SHAKESPEARE’S final play, full of ‘this rough magic’ has been given a good going over by Miracle Theatre and the result casts a whole new light on the work which even the most conservative fan of the Bard would applaud.

With a cast of only six actors, many roles are doubled up and some are extinguished altogether while the dialogue is modernised in startling fashion at times.

But the theme of family rivalry and reconciliation holds true throughout in this outdoor production that is full of surprises, the main one being that the sprite Ariel takes a commanding role, stunningly performed by a superbly athletic and graceful Catherine Lake.

Top priority is given to the comedy roles and even the scary and hairy monster Caliban turns out to be a feisty Yorkshire lass, played by Lisa Howard – now that must be a first in theatre history.

The Cornish-based company bring puppets and music to the mysterious island where the lovely Miranda and her father have lived in lonely isolation until a ship full of men appears on the horizon, upon which Miranda quickly discovers that men can be a whole lot of fun.

Raunchy scenes follow along with drunken frolics in a production that is put together to appeal to younger audiences but which still includes Shakespeare’s valedictory speech which defines not only the play but his career as a playwright.

The production tours throughout the summer and will be visiting Sherborne, Swanage and other Dorset locations.