Reviews

Serra creates a magical wonder, perfect in its aesthetics and feeling, in its dynamics and in the relations between the characters.

Gianfranco Capitta, Il Manifesto

(…) this Tempest by Serra is full of charm and a happy enchantment... Serra blends levity and vision, with the magic of simplicity.

 Roberto Mussapi, Avvenire

The elegant Serra's signature impeccable staging, in which dream and reality, spirits and bodies coexist.

 Camilla Tagliabue, Il Fatto Quotidiano

Through the abstract minimalism of this installation, Alessandro Serra offers a splendid platform for his actors to show off their acting to the full.

Patrick Sourd, Les Inrockuptibles

This is one of the finest adaptations of Shakespeare's The Tempest we've ever seen. 

Marie-Ève Barbier, La Provence

About The Tempest (La Tempesta)

The Tempest is a hymn to theatre made by the theatre. Its magical powers lie precisely in this unique and one-time opportunity to experience metaphysical dimensions thanks to a company of boorish comedians treading wooden boards, making do with just a few props and a handful of patched together costumes. Therein lies its age-old fascination: everything happens before our eyes, everything is real and yet so clearly simulated, but, above all, this superhuman power only occurs if an audience is willing to listen and see, imagine, and share the silence to create the ritual. People will always have a longing for the Theatre because it remains the only place where human beings can exercise their right to an act of magic.

Credits

Playwright: William Shakespeare

Director/Translator/Adaptation: Alessandro Serra

Cast:

Alessandro Burzotta as Sebastian

Andrea Castellano as Boatswain/Spirit

Vincenzo Del Prete as Stephano

Massimiliano Donato as Alonso

Salvo Drago as Gonzalo

Jared McNeill as Caliban

Chiara Michelini as Ariel

Maria Irene Minelli as Miranda

Valerio Pietrovita as Antonio

Massimiliano Poli as Trinculo

Marco Sgrosso as Prospero

Marcello Spinetta as Ferdinand

Lighting Technician: Stefano Bardelli

Stagehand/Toolmaker: Giulia Chittaro

Sound Engineer: Riccardo Rocco Di Gianni

Stage Manager/Stage Engineer: Adriano Maraffino

Stage Technician: Michela Pagano

TST General Manager: Filippo Fonsatti

Head of Artistic, Planning and Training Department: Barbara Ferrato

Head of Production Department: Salvo Caldarella

Company Manager: Veronica Tango

Co-production partners:

Teatro Stabile di Torino - Teatro Nazionale

Teatro di Roma - Teatro Nazionale

ERT - Teatro Nazionale l Sardegna Teatro

Festival D’Avignon l MA scène nationale - Pays de Montbéliard

With the cooperation of Fondazione l Teatri Reggio Emilia

Compagnia Teatropersona

The project would like to express its special thanks to Barbara Leonesi for her assistance.

About Alessandro Serra

Alessandro Serra is a director, playwright, set designer, lighting designer. In 1999 he founded the Compagnia Teatropersona, with which he staged his works presented in many European countries, as well as in Asia, South America, Russia and the United Kingdom. He has received numerous prizes and acknowledgements, including the UBU Award for Best Play and the Le Maschere del Teatro Italiano Award for Best Stage Designer and Best Show for Macbettu. The Hystrio Prize for Director and the Grand Prix "Golden Laurel Wreath Award" as Best Director (MESS Festival - Sarajevo). This is his second production at Wuzhen.

About Teatro Stabile di Torino-Teatro Nazionale

The Teatro Stabile di Torino was founded in 1955 and is one of the seven National Theatres in Italy. With its productions and guest productions it operates through the historic Carignano and Gobetti theatres and the modern Fonderie Limone complex in Moncalieri. The Stabile hosts a Study Centre that is recognised as a research institution by the Office of the Prime Minister; it also organises and runs the Torinodanza festival, one of the leading national contemporary choreography events. Over the past ten years, it has received more than 40 critics' awards for the quality of its productions, which have toured worldwide. Filippo Fonsatti is the General Manager and Valerio Binasco is the Artistic Director of the institution.