This was night two with Sweet Tea Shakespeare - in true Globe fashion, they were alternating between Pericles and The Tempest every other night. Both performances, I had to pinch myself - it was my job to wander around (barefoot, cuz North Carolina), take in a story, and make photographs of incredibly hard-working, talented human beings. It's some kind of dream gig, this photo thing. :)

To prevent confusion, in this production STS took an old Shakespearean method and turned it on its head - with only a couple exceptions, all roles were played by women.

Y'all, this amazing crew set up and tore down every single night of the show, so the Poe House (not that Poe) could continue their normal operations during the day. Next time you go see a show, make sure you thank the logistics crew!

Hannah, stage manager extraordinaire. This girl knows how to make stuff happen.

Shipwreck!

Prospero (the source of the storm) and his daughter Miranda, who pleads with him to make the winds subside. The storm quiets, and the ship's inhabitants wash ashore in two separate groups. He tells Miranda the story of how they ended up on the island - through the treason of an uncle who wanted Prospero's position of Duke of Milan. Alonso and his co-conspirators were on the ship that was wrecked, bringing them to the uninhabited island where Prospero and Miranda were left to die twelve years earlier.

Ariel, a spirit bound to serve Prospero, and general source of mischief in the play. And now, a quick change:

Ariel lures Ferdinand (Alonso's son) in to meet Miranda. Prospero feigns outrage, but is secretly delighted at the development. He sets Ferdinand about a series of tasks to prove his worthiness.

Elsewhere on the island, Alonso assumes his son and the rest of the crew have drowned.

Trinculo and Stephano stumble upon Caliban, Prospero's servant. The two shipwrecked misadventurers convince Caliban to serve them instead, under the guise of companionship and an endless supply of alcohol. They hatch a plot to kill Prospero and take over the island. Before they can do anything about said plot, Ariel distracts them and leads them away.

Post-intermission dancing. You know, as you do.

King Alonso's starving crew are beset by strange spirits carrying a mirage feast.

Ariel takes on an intimidating guise to confront Alonso about his misdeeds, saying that Ferdinand was taken for his father's past actions.

Prospero grants Miranda and Ferdinand permission to be married, and (after laying down the law) puts on an engagement masque. The goddesses of love along with Ariel, nymphs, and reapers appear to attend and celebrate with them.

Caliban is cornered by Ariel and a pack of wild dogs, and taken back to Prospero (this came with a musical interlude that was not written into the play, but added so much to this scene).

Prospero reveals himself as the former Duke of Milan, reunites all of the shipwrecked parties, forgives Alonso, releases Ariel, and is restored to his Dukedom.