A production of William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' is currently running in Fitzgerald's Park as part of Cork's Midsummer Festival. The play previewed on the 20th and 21st of June and will run until the 1st of July. The Tempest is generally considered to be William Shakespeare's last play. Prospero is the protagonist of the play. He was the rightful Duke of Milan before his usurping brother Antonio sent him off on a boat to die with his three year old daughter Miranda. Antonio did this so that he could become duke. Prospero and Miranda survived on the boat and found exile on a small island. Prospero then learned sorcery and used it while on the island to control the other characters. This play deals with themes of family ties and reconciliation in a mythic setting. (The above is for those of you who like me were unfamiliar with the play). Corcadorca have staged an excellent production of The Tempest and have used the natural landscape of Fitzgerald's Park to create the magical world of Prospero's spirit inhabited island. The play is staged on and around the pond and it does feel sort of magical. The performance starts shortly after 10.15pm and continues until about midnight. The costumes, the stage setting and the music are all done well. Although it has to be said that at one point during the play a duck and her six gorgeous little ducklings managed to steal the show when they went for a wander across the pond which included a stroll on and off parts of the stage. This took place on the side of the pond where I was sitting so I had a perfect view of it. :-)