How do the props and set in our play communicate to a contemporary audience?

In our version of the Tempest we have a wooden blue wave and the back of the stage, an exercise bike and a bath tub centre stage. There is also a supermarket trolley which is used to wheel Caliban around when he meets Trinculo.

The exercise bike is used by Caliban to power the entire island. It is used as a way of showing a kind of modern day slavery which she has to undergo. It helps to develop the character of Caliban as the actor gets physically tired and begins to show a more honest representation of how Caliban would be feeling. This in turn helps the audience to understand the relationship dynamics between Caliban  Miranda and Prospero.

The bath is used as a way of playing with water and as a shelter or kneeling place for actors. It is used near the beginning by Ariel and Prospero to demonstrate how the storm worked and what happened, like a reenactment. This makes the idea very clear that Ariel and Prospero have power over elements in and around the island.

The wave keeps the audience reminded that we are on an Island. It is mainly used by the islanders as a watch point or as a resting space. Prospero is often sat up there observing the island, totally invisible, as do the ariels. It helps to create the different worlds. The islanders being these mystical beings and the kings men under their control. This is most helpful when the spirits are supposed to be invisible to the other characters onstage.