New-look Tempest set to be a summer storm

A Shakespeare classic with a Dorset twist will be touring the area from July-September.

SISATA presents The Tempest as you’ve never seen it before, focusing on the impact of climate change Portland.

A great storm is coming to the Isle of Portland, bringing trouble to its shores. Prospero’s spells wash ashore the ghosts of his past, triggering strange magical consequences for Portlanders Miranda, Ariel and Caliban.

The human lust for power and control have become toxic, causing devastating pollution, endangering lives and the future of the land itself. Can the tempest crisis unite them to live and love and work together with nature to battle the inevitable tide of climate change? Will love win the day?

The project will culminate in an original site-responsive promenade play cycle of three dynamic and nature-connected pieces that are inspired by the original

Shakespearean text and will be performed on the island as part of the b-Side festival (Sept 8-11). These three plays in a cycle are being written, co-created and performed by local community performers, led by a team of professional writers and SISATA.

Performances will also be held at: Museum of East Dorset on Saturday, July 15 at 6.30pm, Sandsfoot Castle Gardens

Weymouth, DT4 8QE on Friday, July 21 at 6.30pm, Swanage

Amphitheatre from Saturday, July 22 to Monday, July 24 at 2.30pm (free), at Maumbury Rings in Dorchester on Friday, July 28 at 7pm, at Red House Museum & Gardens, Quay Rd, Christchurch BH23 1BU on Saturday, July 29 at 6.30pm and at Portland Castle on Saturday, September 2 at 6pm.

Poole’s Lighthouse will host the show on Wednesday and Thursday, July 13 and 14 at 8pm.

Tickets are £12-15 apart from the Swanage show, information at sisata.co.uk