‘The Tempest’ makes Shakespeare accessible

Director Carolyne Haycraft says viewing a Shakespeare production shouldn’t be an intimidating experience.

Frustrated by the mystique surrounding The Bard, Haycraft, who directed the North American premiere of Lorae Parry’s controversial play “Eugenia” last winter, now tackles “The Tempest,” Shakespeare’s classic tale of revenge and reconciliation.

After his brother usurps his title as duke of Milan, Prospero is banished to a remote island, where he learns to harness magical forces to capture his enemies and enslave the elemental creatures Ariel and Caliban. However, Prospero’s quest for power is interrupted when his daughter falls in love with the duke’s son, and Prospero must choose between his lust for vengeance and his daughter’s happiness.

Haycraft’s goal is to make “The Tempest” accessible to young audiences and those who have never seen a play by Shakespeare, as well as satisfying die-hard Shakespeare fans. To do this, she has cut the script to 90- minutes, updated the time period, and included music by techno and industrial artists such as Daft Punk and Nine Inch Nails. As a result, the production creates a world of illusion that illustrates the clash between the spiritual world and modern technology, and highlights the tension between the desire for revenge and the need for forgiveness.