Rebellion draws near

CentreStage Productions is working on their newest production since their hilarious Pyramus & Thisby. Await Caliban's Rebellion – a radical reworking of Shakespeare's classic The Tempest. Adapted, designed and directed by Jehan Aloysius, the play is a magical blend of Shakespeare's verse, exciting dance and original rhythms inspired by Africa and the Caribbean.

The show is constructed from the sub-plot of The Tempest, and is set on an unnamed island in the West Indies. The plot follows the demonised slave Caliban who rebels against the malevolent wizard, Prospero, in an effort to reclaim his island from his European master.

As Jehan, the show's creator states, "After the success of Pyramus & Thisby, we wanted to do something darker, so The Tempest seemed ideal. It had all the themes and challenges my cast were looking for. There's drama in the form of dark magic, romance, unrequited love and the subversion of authority, as well as scope for physical comedy, music and dance. More so, it had the opportunity to re-examine and re-create Caliban and his history."

Over several weeks, the cast was given the task of researching topics ranging from post-colonial theory, racial discrimination and the slave trade, to Commedia Del Arte and court jesters. Their weekly presentations led to workshops which determined the narrative of the play. This daring interpretation explores a possible blood-link between Prospero, Miranda, Caliban and his mother Sycorax, as well as revealing possible scenarios that may have led to Prospero's own position of power.

Caliban's Rebellion will feature the theatre troupe's unique style of story telling, which includes their trademark elements of music, dance, song and acrobatics. The original music is composed and performed by Jehan Aloysius, while wizard behind the lights will be Thushan Dias.

Caliban's Rebellion will hit the boards of the Punchi Theatre, Borella from February 21-24 at 7.30 pm. (with a possibility of an extra show on February 25). Tickets are now available at the venue. Call 2672121.