The Tempest
The Tempest was originally written to showcase the theatrical technology of Shakespeare’s time. In this RSC production, the creative team set out to explore what modern tools could achieve while keeping the performers and the text at the centre of the storytelling. FRAY Studio used video to construct Prospero’s magical world, pushing the boundaries of what is theatrically possible without letting the stage feel like a digital simulation. Painted skies swept across the space, Hockney inspired corn fields opened outwards, aurora borealis drifted gently above, and at the heart of it all the spirit Ariel appeared live, rendered in real time through motion capture.
The production combined video mapping, video tracking and live motion capture to create a fully responsive environment. While projection had been used in previous interpretations of The Tempest, what set this production apart was the way the entire video world was driven by Ariel. The character was both a performer and a digital presence, shaping the world around him as he moved. This allowed the stage picture to grow, shift and reform in direct response to his actions, creating a sense of magic that felt grounded in live performance.
Throughout the production, the use of video was carefully judged. The intention was never to overshadow the actors but to support them, extending the emotional and imaginative reach of the play. Each visual element was designed to complement the language, the movement and the rhythm of the performance.
The result is a production that honours Shakespeare’s fascination with theatrical illusion while using contemporary technology to create an immersive, responsive and beautifully cohesive world.
FRAY Team
Adam Young
Ash Woodward
Ingi Bekk
George Jarvis
Sam Jeffs
Leo Flint
Collaborators
Gregory Doran
Stephen Brimson Lewis
Finn Ross
Simon Spencer
Paul English
Imaginarium Studios