Tempest scene 1: Staging

Although Shakespeare’s plays have been known more creative imagery and use of a stage, the opening ship during a storm scene for Tempest seems to be the most technical of all the plays to be read in this class so far even against Henry V when the chorus asks the audience to use their imagination for scenes like beautiful French fields. The only stage directions that are given are “A tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard“, wet mariners, and offstages shouts and noises.

With the ability to use extravagant special effects today, does it seem just to use them or does it seem better to preserve the use of imagination like during the time of Shakespeare? With that being said, what about movies? Are they just another way to appreciate Shakespeare’s work or another way to make money just because advances of the future?

The Synetic Theater uses actual water in their scenes, but no lines. Is this just another way to celebrate works of Shakespeare in this new form or should they perform Shakespeare’s works the way they were intended when first created?