FROM HARRY POTTER TO SHAKESPEARE, FIENNES SHINES

Highly accomplished Trevor Nunn, who has already directed over 30 of Shakespeare's plays, helms The Tempest, imbuing it with deliberate melancholy and romance. Widely regarded as the Bard's final play, this astonishing and poignant drama is an about forgiveness, revelation and reconciliation, and personal and political change.

Nunn's production stars acclaimed actor Ralph Fiennes as a striking, tortured and complex Prospero. With lighting by Paul Pyant and stage design by Stephen Brimson Lewis, The Tempest magically springs to life a triumph of virtue over vengeance.

WHAT IS THE TEMPEST ABOUT?

Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda live on a remote, enchanted island. Twelve years earlier, his brother Antonio, and Alonso, the King of Naples, conspired to usurp Prospero and set him adrift a boat which eventually ran aground the isle. Now Prospero, served by a spirit, Ariel, and witch-son, Caliban, plots to restore Miranda to her lawful position as Duchess, using the magic he has learned.

He conjures up a storm, wrecking the ship on which his brother and King Alonso travel, and they are washed ashore. With illusion, manipulations and the mischievous Ariel, Prospero endeavours to taunt them, reveal their true nature and demand that his throne is restored, as well as orchestrate the marriage of Miranda and Ferdinand, Alonso's son.