Each year, Shakespeare at The Lake Director, John Tomlinson, puts his own spin on the shows presented. As You Like It was set in the 60’s, 12th Night was set in space, and The Taming of the Shrew featured gender swapping of the roles. This year’s production of The Tempest, however, may be the most personal to Tomlinson.
Tomlinson says that music and theatre were the two tools that helped him adjust to life and to be more social in his youth. He grew up in a socially conservative household living with his grandparents. They wouldn’t let him wear the hairstyle and the clothes inspired by the punk rock scene of Southern California. He says the punk of the mid 80’s got him through his teen years and theatre got him through his 20’s. When he selected The Tempest as this year’s show, which incidentally was one of the first shows ever in which he acted, he decided why not combine the two things that gave his younger self a sense of belonging.
He says that he’s really been enjoying the process of collaboration on this show and how it has affected the imagination of the Set Designer Karin Hentschel, Costume Designer Barbara Clark, and Music Designer Cody Eden. He loves talking to the actors about how they fit their character’s trajectory into the concept. As a director it’s hard to figure out all the little nuances, but watching the actors grapple with it and have the freedom to figure things out for themselves has been rewarding for all involved.
Hentschel also enjoyed the process. “When John introduced me to the idea of doing the Tempest with an early 80’s punk rock theme, I got very excited, as punk rock has a special place in my heart, as well. The more I read the play and contemplated it, the more I found this concept to be suited to the story in such a profound way.” She says his vision was very clear and intriguing and that trying to visualize it together was a very fun process. The design team included several very creative high school students. They all gathered photos, sketches and ideas for inspiration and discussed the limitations of an outdoor performance venue. (While the entire team was talented and appreciated, Tomlinson was particularly impressed with Hannah Smalley of Clear Lake High and her help with set building and painting.)
The team also built a small model of the stage which kept evolving until they “reached the design that expressed the vision in the best way.” This all took place while punk rock played in the background for inspiration. They tried to repurpose all materials and purchase as little as possible which “emphasized the authentic look of the design.”
Says Tomlinson, “It has been rewarding and meaningful to bring these worlds together. I am so thankful for our amazing cast and crew who are supporting this intensely personal theatre vision.” He is enjoying watching those in the cast who are new to punk really get into it and he says that some of the cast who experienced the music firsthand back in the 80’s auditioned specifically because of the punk rock concept.
The production features lots of original music written by Eden. One of the actors sang acapella during a rehearsal and Eden went home and wrote the music for it. Tomlin says it’s amazing how the freedom and liberty songs of Shakespeare fit the punk rock theme of yelling over music so well. 400-year-old lyrics set to brand new ’80s inspired music. “Cody has done background vocals for the last few shows, but he crushed it with the New Wave, Punk Rock, and David Bowie inspired music he wrote for this show.”
This is all very interesting, but what is the show about you may be asking. Well, in a traditional production of The Tempest, Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, is a little more interested in his library than in ruling his dukedom. His brother, Antonio, manages the state while Prospero reads and studies his books on magic. Says Tomlinson, “As brothers do in Shakespeare, the one that does the job wants the glory.” Antonio steals his brother’s title of Duke and gets the King, Alonso, to help him banish his brother. Instead of killing Prospero they set him and his daughter, Miranda, adrift in the sea where they eventually shipwreck on an island. Prospero uses his magic to subdue the spirits of the island where they are stranded.
By chance, 12 years later, the King, the King’s brother Sebastian, the King’s son Ferdinand, Prospero’s brother, and some others are passing by the island after coming home from the wedding of the King’s daughter. There is a violent storm, a “tempest,” and the story picks up from there.
In this Punk inspired production of The Tempest, Alonso and Antonio are music producers and represent the big record corporation. All of music is their kingdom. The dukedom is the whole arena of recorded punk rock. They have the power (which they abuse) and social influence.
The “Island” is the name of the punk rock club to which Prospero has been relegated. The action takes place on the outdoor stage behind the club. The graffiti and broken walls represent the anarchic and crumbling world. There are bands and concerts and live music, but Prospero cannot record. Live music is not as influential as recorded music, but he makes it work. He is “surviving.” As his daughter gets older, he feels responsible for his choice and how it affects her and wants a better life for her.
In this 1985 Southern California punk world, the “suits” are the music industry. They are the enemy. They are corporate sellouts. They don’t allow liberty or creativity. At the Island, the characters all wear leather and punk rock inspired hairstyles and clothing. Which is kind of a full circle moment for Tomlinson.
Says Clark, “We lost our original Prospero due to health issues just 3 weeks before opening night. We tried, unsuccessfully, to find a replacement. The logical replacement was John.” Logical because as a seasoned actor and the director, he was already familiar with the lines and blocking. This is the first time in the 9 years of Shakespeare at The Lake that he has had to step into a role. Tomlinson says, with a laugh, that he takes on the role with “reluctance and relish.” He also finds “getting to wear it all now, the leather, the boots, the t-shirts and the fact that the others are embracing it (the concept) as well, to be thrilling.”
I asked his wife what it’s been like helping him learn his lines. Tomlinson has been directing Clark for years. Now their roles are reversed. She’s since stepped in as Assistant Director. She’s been throwing out some of the things that he’s used on her in the past, “What are you saying here?” and “What is your overarching objective?” She says he’s been good natured about it.”
The themes that run through this show are betrayal and conspiracy, but ultimately forgiveness and redemption. Tomlinson finds it to be a welcome change. The Tempest was the last show written solely by Shakespeare and one of his last plays ever. Tomlinson says the playwright, “Mastered his craft nicely. The subplots echo the themes of the major plot. There are similar relationships and how they work out. There are two assassination plots going on during the play and they offer a different way of looking at the same problem. He (Shakespeare) had refined this at this point in his career.”
Tomlinson also notes that the epilogue at the end of the play is really Shakespeare saying goodbye to the Globe Theatre.
Shakespeare at the Lake is a co-production of the Lake County Theatre Company (LCTC) and the Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department.
Show dates are Saturday, July 27 & Sunday, July 28 in Library Park, in Lakeport and Friday, August 2 & Saturday, August 3 in Austin Park, in Clearlake. All shows are FREE and start at 7pm. Bring a blanket or a chair and maybe even a hat. Food and beverages are available for sale or bring your own.
For more information, please visit www.laketheatre.org.
