From 19th-24th July 2016 the Marine Theatre and Marine Players brought the community play back to Lyme with their production of The Tempest Of Lyme. This promenade production that linked Shakespeare’s play to Lyme history took place inside the Marine Theatre and open-air on Theatre Square with sweeping views of Lyme Bay as a backdrop.
***** – “Enchanting…this is something that won’t be forgotten soon” – View News
**** – “A wonderfully exuberant production, brought to Lyme by its own people” – Bridport Review
“What a glorious evening to watch such a special event – well deserved.” – Helen Stiles, Dorset Magazine
“A triumph no less. A great community effort.” – Oliver Ford Davies
The Tempest Of Lyme is a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest developed by Marine patron Andrew Rattenbury and Marine Director Clemmie Reynolds in early 2016
Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Lyme’s twinning with St George’s in Bermuda, this new play weaves into Shakespeare’s tale about the magical mysterious island, the story of Lyme naval hero George Somers, who founded St George’s Bermuda, colonised Virginia and whose shipwreck allegedly inspired The Tempest.
The production featured original music by Bridport’s Andrew Dixon award-winning film-composer. It was directed by the Marine’s Artistic Director Clemmie Reynolds, with Movement and Stilts Direction by Jonny Hoskins.
The production coincided with a visit by the twinning committee from St George’s in Bermuda in July 2016.
A cast and crew of over 60 locals including 40 onstage and 20 behind the scenes worked together to produce the show from April-July 2016. The production involved old and young from Lyme and all over Dorset.
The rehearsal process in pictures:
