The Tempest

The Tempest

by John DRYDEN (1631 - 1700)

John Dryden and William D'Avenant's Restoration adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest preserves the main plot and characters of the original. Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, lives on an isolated island with his daughter Miranda, and plans to take revenge on his brother Antonio, who usurped his throne. He is aided by his servant, the airy sprite Ariel, and is hated by his other servant, the monster Caliban. Dryden and D'Avenant added in a number of characters: Dorinda, Prospero's other daughter, Hippolito, a young man who has never seen a woman, Sycorax, Caliban's sister, and more spirits and comic mariners. They also added more song, dance, and spectacle. Their version was considered the definitive Tempest until the 19th century. - Summary by Elizabeth KlettCastNarrator/Miranda/Stephano: Elizabeth KlettMustacho/Third Devil/Neptune: Kristin GjerløwVentoso/Pride: Frances BrownTrincalo/Fraud: mbHippolito/Cabin-boy: balaAlonzo: Algy PugAntonio: Leonard WilsonGonzalo: Bob NeufeldFerdinand: Eden Rea-HedrickProspero: Bruce PirieAriel/Aeolus: Libby GohnMilcha/First Devil/Amphitrite: AvailleCaliban/Second Devil/Tethys: Alan MapstoneDorinda: MaryankaSycorax/Murder/Oceanus: Lucy PerryAudio edited by Elizabeth Klett