Today I had to change residences since I couldn’t get the full set of days at my original B&B. After checking out, I went and hung out in Lithia Park, just relaxing and taking some pictures. After some lunch, I made my way to my hotel and settled in for a bit.
In the evening, I attended a production of The Tempest. I went in with a low expectation, based on the universal negative comments from the B&B crowd, but it turns out I liked it a lot. It was visually very interesting using a very sparse set, and a number of the actors were really excellent in their roles; particularly interestingly well played were the parts of Ariel and Calaban. The actress who played Ariel also played the mother in A Wrinkle in Time, and one of the queens in Richard III. There were also some “dancers” who represented the spirits carrying out Prospero’s commands. What made all the other folks dislike it was the performance of Prospero. It was much lower key and less commanding that it is usually played, but even though I didn’t love the performance, I could see it as a different interpretation. One thing I really enjoyed in the beginning was how they did the sinking of the ship. The set was very spare, just covered by a grey sheet, and when the ship (which you never saw) sank, all people and the sheet covering the entire stage went down an opening in the stage like water going down a drain. A very enjoyable evening at the theater.