William Shakespeare’s late romance The Tempest has been chosen for Stafford Festival Shakespeare (SFS) 2017, it has been announced.
The creative team behind the 2016 production of Othello—director Clare Prenton, music director Craig Adams and production designer Frances Collier—will reunite to produce the play which is believed to be Shakespeare’s last.
“Continuing the trend set last year, we’re delighted to announce that SFS 2017 will feature another of the Bard’s works that has never previously been performed at Stafford Castle,” said producer Derrick Gask. “It’s also great to welcome back Clare and the acclaimed creative team behind the 2016 show for another exciting production.”
The Tempest will be set during the elegance of the 1930s—the age of luxury cruise liners, Hollywood glamour and the dying days of vaudeville—all from a small Italian-occupied island off the coast of Somalia.
Established in 1991, Stafford Festival Shakespeare has become one of Europe's largest open-air Shakespeare productions and is performed in a purpose-built auditorium against the backdrop of Stafford Castle.
The Tempest will run from Thursday 22 June until Saturday 8 July 2017. For the first time, SFS 2017 will feature a Sunday performance on 25 June at 5PM.