Reviews

• Sam A

  Oct 23, 2022

  Saw this with my daughter as our first Shakespeare experience and we were not disappointed! Incredible acting, great modern day twists, and a hugely engaging, fully immersive experience. We felt drawn into the performance as if we were part of it! Superb night for us!

• Ronnie Ireland

  Oct 17, 2022

  I couldn't really empathise with this production. It seemed to miss out Magic and its Power and anything serious. It also seemed desperate to be funny all the time in a mix of slapstick and sitcom styles which, for me, became tedious. The visual style is the now typical rag bag of contemporary / kitsch props and effects with the music hugely under contributing and the "masque" was frankly embarrassing. I was looking forward so much to this production and the more I reflected on it, the more I was disappointed by it. Prospero was powerful when occasionally allowed to be and the theatre hushed. The morality of power through magic and enslavement - not really there. Caliban was a a lightweight comic turn and certainly no "monster" in any sense of the word - which is difficult when he is constantly referred to as one - and is patently not. This missed a chance to examine what a "monster" might mean now. When he has to threaten Prospero it does not ring true as it comes from nowhere - petty resentment rather than a deep desire for revenge I think the actors are much better than the production and indeed deserve better. It seemed another muddled production with no clear idea of where it is going - Julius Caesar was the same, although I did listen to the interview with director and thought her ideas did not come across in the production. King Lear on the other hand, really hit home. Maybe it's just me, but the Globe is a wonderful, special place and I would love to come to see more work there. These last two productions make me question it however.

• Pip

  Oct 7, 2022

  Disappointingly dumbed down to the lowest common denominator and inexpertly played for cheap laughs, the directorial concept left much to be desired in failing to propel the thematic intentions of the play. With too many actors gabbling their lines, the real power and magic of the language of The Tempest was lost. In terms of characterisation, no player was more tedious than the actor in the role of Ariel, a character scripted by Shakespeare to be made of air, but sadly in this production heavily earth-bound and clunky. An insult to any intelligent audience member, the performance I viewed was certainly not theatre at its best.

• Tom from USA

  Oct 6, 2022

  Visiting London, we booked the Globe hoping to see a classic production of Shakespeare's play, so needless to say were surprised by the contemporary interpretation. The actors were quite good, but we couldn't follow, as when their heads turned away, we really could not hear. I am sure it was entertaining for those who knew the play, but for us, not so much as we missed half the lines. Left at intermission.

• Ange

  Oct 5, 2022

  Spotty acting (some were excellent, some were just screaming out verse). Direction largely incomprehensible. If the storm is silly then Prosperous and his powers are a joke. Amusing for 5 minutes but ultimately tiresome. I was very excited to see the Old Globe for the first time. It was disappointing.

• Kerry

  Oct 3, 2022

  It was an interesting interpretation of the play with an imaginative use of modern references. For example, the upper-class characters behind glass, partying while the boatswain was trying to save the ship. (Particularly interesting when we think of the news of politicians doing this while the country was under lockdown.) However, the butchered ending was jarring and didn't fit the mood of the play.

• Jim Healey

  Oct 3, 2022

  Quirky but fun. We cannot unsee Prospero clad in only yellow Speedos. Loved the experience of being in the Globe which did not disappoint.

• Catherine Tuckwood

  Oct 3, 2022

  Absolutely amazing and quirky production of The Tempest. Perfect performances from the whole cast, which sweeps you along to an emotional ending.

• Ceyda

  Sep 30, 2022

  Absolutely fantastic performance and effort from the cast. Better than expected, what a great spend of time. Highly recommend

• K Ellison

  Sep 29, 2022

  The actors on stage obviously have the ability to engage an audience and bring meaning to what is being created on stage. The failure of this production along with Henry the eighth lies firmly in the hands of the production team. It is certainly no easy task to get a story across without lights (and therefore it is almost impossible to create a serious change in location and mood etc) . However, that aside, the silly direction given to each story, barbecues, rapper outfits, 1970s Armani suits, blow up flamingos, Speedo’s…All of it is so 🙄 obvious, tongue- in -cheek and disrespectful of the play that was written it was impossible to take any of it seriously. And it was absolutely not even funny. It’s as if the playwrights words just didn’t matter to the Directors. The directors ego mattered to the director and the directors attempt to make a statement of some kind was predominant. Predominant but incredibly weak.

• Maria

  Sep 25, 2022

  Surreal and laugh out loud! A really entertaining version of the play, exploring the edge of madness, that sometimes resembled a wild 1970s party. The actors playing Caliban and Prospero were outstanding both in the interpretation of their lines and in their physical comedy. The whole cast were excellent and the interaction with the audience was inspired.

• Julia

  Sep 24, 2022

  Brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed this funny version of the Tempest.

• Alan

  Sep 23, 2022

  A most enjoyable evening.

• Petra Johnson

  Sep 20, 2022

  Poignant and hilarious. A highly skilled and engaged performance. After years away, I recalled again why my two favorite venues are the Globe and the Kunqu theatre at Shaoxing Lu in Shanghai, where skill and engagement play with rather than for us.

• Karen Branyan

  Sep 19, 2022

  Unusual staging, great acting and overall a fantastic experience

• GA

  Sep 16, 2022

  Very entertaining show!

• Tonks86

  Sep 15, 2022

  This is the second time I've seen this play & it was so different from the first version I'd seen. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was quite a fast pace & well acted. The only negatives for me were that I couldn't hear some of the actors & I'm still not very happy with some of the characters' genders being changed. Apart from that it was a lovely afternoon in a fabulous venue & a good audience.

• Jane Rushton

  Sep 15, 2022

  Sometimes Shakespeare is hard to follow and I have studied and performed it. But these actors brought The Tempest to life in fun rollicking Shakespearean style. I highly recommend it!

• please leave blanc

  Sep 14, 2022

  Terrific fun - the rain did not detract at all

• Toby

  Sep 14, 2022

  Amazing especially since someone stood in at the last minute to keep the show on and performed with the script in hand!

• Christine Barnes

  Sep 12, 2022

  The play was performed in modern dress, but it's worth seeing how they improvised the storm, I had a standing ticket and was next to the stage, so I got a little splashed but didn't mind. I would see it again and maybe take a few friends and family to see it, just so that they can see that modern clothes do not take away anything from the performance.

• Anu Irwin

  Sep 11, 2022

  It is not a good production compared to the ones seen in the past. The modern woke twist with references to three lions was inappropriate. Will not recommend it to anyone. The globe needs to stay true to Shakespearean spirit!

• Shakespeare fan.

  Sep 11, 2022

  Slapdash performance where the lovely language is lost, as was any attempt at a nuanced performance. Beware therefore ‘relaxed’ performances. I will not be back - unless you can bring back the standard achieved by Mark Rylance - but see the plays in their full glory at other venues. Such a shame.

• Hato (from Germany)

  Sep 11, 2022

  One of the experiences with very magic and very funny moments you never forget in your live.

• Robin

  Sep 10, 2022

  A variety of talents is mixed level story of power, intrigue, spirits, and a glimpse/taste/ feeling of theatre before modern technology of social media Interesting use of props, music, clothing, and movement to convey those days of agile verbosity

• Jan G

  Sep 6, 2022

  Totally wonderful performance - we were transfixed from start to finish !! Thoroughly recommend!!

• Mary

  Sep 4, 2022

  We enjoyed this interesting production which was well-paced & lively. Some difficulty in hearing speeches at times & our granddaughter (1st visit & interested in theatre costume) was disappointed in the modern dress, but the concept worked well. Arial was excellent!

• Jubbio

  Aug 18, 2022

  First time at the Globe. First time watching Shakespeare (live). We went for the standing tickets. We got caught in a Tempest which only enhanced the experience of The Tempest. The thunder seemed to be right on cue as if Prospero himself was controlling it! We went as a family of 4 and our two teenagers were mesmerised from start to finish. We have definitely caught the bug.

• Kate’s

  Aug 18, 2022

  Fabulous, passionate, funny performance enhanced by the monsoon weather!!

• Lizzie skyner

  Aug 17, 2022

  So disappointing- just no chemistry between Ferdinand and Miranda at all. Prospero was the worst I’ve ever seen in thirty years. Well done Gonzalo for holding it together. Cal Ian and the two drunks, fun and a few nice touches. RSC? Really! Lazy work here!

• Merrill

  Aug 17, 2022

  High on energy, low on audible enough poetry, very original and colourful and contemporary references, fun, good humoured theatrical experience.

• Paul Duffus

  Aug 17, 2022

  Was a great day out, the play was fantastic, really well acted, lively and with emotion.

• Judith

  Aug 15, 2022

  This was such a funny performance. The highights included: The cast shouting at the planes flying overhead The rendition of 'Three Lions' Prospero's outrageously bright attire. Prospero's magnificent performance Etc etc etc

• Lily

  Aug 15, 2022

  This production emphasises the comic nature of The Tempest, greatly helped by the contemporary references and dress, and the enthusiastic hamming it up by the talented performers. There's plenty of audience interaction and madcap action and this works well in the intimate surroundings of the Globe. It's a performance that most children will enjoy too, even if a fair amount of the dialogue goes over their heads. My one criticism would be that some of the soliloquies felt a bit rushed, as if they were dull bits to be got through, rather than giving the poetry space to breathe. But it means the performance sticks sharply to a 2 hour 10 minute running time. The music and songs bring depth and loveliness to the fun but there was room for more.

• Steve

  Aug 15, 2022

  Very good. Still not sure about the modern take on Shakespeare

• Karen DeWine

  Aug 15, 2022

  Amazing cast delightful production!

• Peta Rabson

  Aug 14, 2022

  Shakespeare's Globe is such a great experience, but you do need to have an idea of the story before you go, especially with Shakespeare. I have been many times and I love it!! As I've said in the title 'The Tempest' was brilliantly funny. The Sam Wanamaker Theatre is great too. I will be back for sure.

• Anon

  Aug 13, 2022

  I thought the acting was really good and I particularly enjoyed the costumes, all of them had a lot of care and detail put into them. Arial had a big presence.

• Andy

  Aug 12, 2022

  We watched the tempest on Thursday, the cast were brilliant and it was a very enjoyable afternoon at the globe

• M Grant

  Aug 12, 2022

  Production focus on fun lost the magic and the contrast between the dark and light elements of the play. Sound system is strange; Gonzalo the only character to be heard clearly all the time. Prospero understood most of the time...some characters very hard to understand and did a lot of shouting. Music was ok, but didn't come close to touching the heart. Clever use of aircraft flying over. Am long time fan of the Globe. Sad.

• P

  Aug 12, 2022

  An original and enjoyable production with some unexpected modern twists. Really good for my 14 year olds first experience!

• Helen Longley

  Aug 12, 2022

  Very lively, physically demanding production. Interesting ideas on use of props on stage. Excellent interaction with both audience and planes overhead! Superb Ariel and Caliban. Less happy with Prospero - didn’t feel he was being interpreted with enough ambiguity or humour. Too dictatorial and lacked subtlety. Not sure why he was running round in skimpy swimming trunks.

• Sorry, but it has to be said

  Aug 12, 2022

  Shakespeare's words played second fiddle to the over inflated egos of every 'actor' on that stage. Nevermind the much talked about use of a garden hose in the opening scene. Prospero and Caliban rather than being able to eloquently and artistcally project their voices across the stage, took to shouting and showering the audience in the spittle yeuch. I nearly walked out at the chimes of footballs coming home, and thought no stick with this. Then the 'mating dance' complete rip off of noel fielding. But instead of allowing any artistry to speak for itself. Every actor screamed 'look at me' and played far too many cheap jokes, the likes of which would be cringed at at THE fringe. First time I have walked from a show before the final bows. Oh and quite a few others left way before me.

• Chris

  Aug 11, 2022

  Never been my favourite Shakespeare play, but what a great night out, acting was exemplary, so much fun with a lot of interaction, as it should be, including City Airport flights, will be booking again.

• Hannah

  Aug 11, 2022

  The actors were absolutely brilliant! Laughed throughout- would recommend to anyone

• Emmanuelle

  Aug 11, 2022

  What a refreshing night at Shakespeare’s Globe. It’s always best to stand for the true experience - if you can stomach it. The Tempest was fun; a very different kind of Prospero, and overall a great reimagining.

• Kevin

  Aug 10, 2022

  Don’t know if it was just me ,but I found it difficult to hear the actors ,l left at the interval

• Lizzy

  Aug 10, 2022

  A whimsical and tongue in cheek rendition of Shakespeare’s favourite of his own plays. Lots of laughs, from the sublime to the ridiculous!

• Mike Williams

  Aug 10, 2022

  Enjoyable evening. Played for laughs and at express speed. Shame plot and jokes took precedence over the language at times.

• Chris

  Aug 9, 2022

  Once again I was somewhat disappointed by another jaunt into your attempts at staging contemporary Shakespeare. Having seen King Lear a few weeks ago, I attended Sunday evenings performance of the Tempest and can say that woke theatre is just not for me. Whilst I thought Prospero was outstanding, I simply found the design and costumes along with the bland music utterly misplaced. Far to self indulgent and lacking in any truth. The constant laughter and in jokes from some of the cast was misguided to say the least. This was also true of King Lear and I guess your house style. I shall not be visiting again until a new approach is fostered, where we are not simply fed half truths and politically correct concepts.