“A Summary of PE Shakespearean Festival’s 2016 Production of The Tempest”
(Tempest = Storm)
This summary is divided into the five acts.
Remember, Prospera is the only one who can see Ariel and her fellow spirits.
Act I
A massive storm battered the ship carrying Alonso, (the King of Naples), Sebastian, (Alonso's brother), Ferdinand (Alonso's son), Antonio, Gonzala and others.
It appeared as though they were likely to be shipwrecked and die. On the island near the storm, Prospera and her daughter Miranda are introduced.
Prospera used her magic powers to create the storm battering the ailing ship.
The innocent and naive Miranda pleaded with Prospera to stop the storm. Prospera was once the Duchess of Milan but she and Miranda were banished to the island by Antonio, Prospera's brother, who took over her Dukedom of Milan.
Ariel, Prospera's magic Spirit, entered and announced that, as planned, the men onboard the ship all survived and came ashore unharmed.
A misformed beast named Caliban is introduced.
Ariel and her fellow Spirits led Ferdinand, who was separated during the storm and who the others believed was drowned, to Miranda.
The two immediately fell in love but Prospera, fearing too rapid a courtship, was ill-mannered with Ferdinand.
Act 2
The other survivors woke up on the island and were surprised to find their clothes smelling and feeling as fresh as if they had just been purchased.
With the exception of Sebastian and Antonio, Ariel's beautiful song put all the survivors to sleep.
Antonio, right, who was responsible for deposing his sister, Prospera, as Duchess of Milan, convinced Sebastian, King Alonso's brother, into aiding him in his plot to kill King Alonso.
The two were about to stab the sleeping Alonso when the Ariels woke everyone. The two men quickly made a feeble excuse for having their swords drawn.
Trincula, a jester who was also on the ship, spotted Caliban and quickly realized a beast such as him would make her a fortune as a novelty show in England.
Stephano, Trincula's friend eventually found Trincula under Caliban's huge frame.
Stephano gave Caliban an alcoholic drink. Caliban believed Stephano had much more power than Prospera - whom Caliban hates.
The three set off together and plot to kill Prospera.
Act 3
Prospera, who was invisible to Ferdinand and Miranda, witnessed Ferdinand proposing to Miranda.
Realizing she was witnessing a truly rare meeting of hearts, she finally approved of Ferdinand as a suitor for her daughter. The scene ended with Ferdinand taking Miranda for his wife. Prospera was pleased but left to attend to matters before dinner.
Bottle in hand, Stephano, Trincula and Caliban continued on their merry way together. Stephano had delusions of grandeur, which Caliban blindly follows. Trincula thought Caliban was being foolish to follow Stephano so blindly. Caliban succeeded in convincing Stephano to agree to kill Prospera and to take over the island. Caliban suggested several gruesome ways of killing Prospera.
The Ariel and her fellow Spirits lure the group away with their entrancing sounds.
Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzala, Adrian and Francisco and others witness a banquet on the island but it is an illusion.
Transforming into a terrifying bird Ariel confronts Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian over their roles in exiling Prospera, Ariel's master.
Act 4
Prospera tells Ferdinand she will no longer punish him, but instead will freely give her daughter's hand in marriage to him.
Prospera conjures up a beautiful, mythical, illusory party to celebrate, complete with goddesses and nymphs.
Act 5
Prospera instructs Ariel to lead the shipwrecked men on the island before her except Stephano, Caliban and Trincula.
Prospera has the Ariels distract Stephano, Caliban and Trincula with clothes and bits of finery.
Caliban fails to keep his friends focused on killing Prospera.
Prospera tells Ariel that she will soon be free and that she will miss her. Prospera also intends to destroy her ability to use magic.
Prospera verbally reprimands several of the spellbound men who exiled her - including her brother, Antonio.
Making her presence known, Prospera forgives King Alonso, and tells Sebastian and Antonio she will keep secret their plan to kill Alonso, forgiving both.
King Alonso is overjoyed to see his son Ferdinand and soon learns of Ferdinand's imminent marriage to Miranda.
Prospera forgives Stephano and Trincula. Caliban is embarrassed for following Trincula. Prospera announces that in the morning they will all set sail for Naples. Ariel is at last set free.
Caliban is given his freedom.
Epilogue
Prospera asks the audience to free her to travel back to Naples reclaiming her life as Duchess of Milan.