Music on Main Unveils The Tempest Project in Playhouse World Premiere (July 17 – 22)
Music on Main is presenting the world premiere of The Tempest Project at the Vancouver Playhouse from July 17 – 22. Inspired by one of Shakespeare’s last works, the production will take its audience on a site-specific, musical journey to explore the behind-the-scenes and backstage areas of the 62-year-old building. The Bard memorializes theatrical production and theatre spaces like the Playhouse in The Tempest, where Prospero refers to “the cloud-cappd towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself.” The new production will take Shakespeare at his word and explore the fabric of his vision.
“Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest, has inspired artists for more than 400 years … ,” says David Pay, artistic director of Music on Main and director of The Tempest Project. “We’re using those themes as the inspiration for musical scenes that we’re setting throughout the Playhouse, and we’ll lead small groups of audiences on various paths through the theatre. As they travel, they’ll be greeted with live performances, recordings from hidden speakers, projections, lighting, audio and optical illusions, and more. The ultimate aim is to pull audiences into a ‘strange new world’ and challenge their very definition of what a music performance can be.”
The Tempest Project has been in development for over five years, involving artist workshops that have combined theatre, intercultural collaboration, and contemporary music composition. The project specifically commissioned works by composers (including Gabriel Kahane, Nancy Tam, Alfredo Santa Ana, and Saina Khaledi) for the ensemble performing at the Playhouse. For tickets and further information, visit musiconmain.ca.
