One of Shakespeare's visionary comedies The Tempest was the ambitious new production of the Far East Theatre Company bsed at North Walsham's Paston Sixth Form College.

Norwich Evening News: Paston Sixth Form College Tempest productionPaston Sixth Form College Tempest production (Image: Archant)

The production was performed by a 20-strong cast to packed audiences of young and old over three evenings.

The Tempest believed to be written in 1610-11 is set in a remote island where Prospera, the rightful Duke of Milan, played by Natasha Rowan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda (Joanna Maxwell) to her rightful place, using magic and illusion.

There was an enchanting performance of Aerial by three actors, Eloise Heath, Siobhan Pearson and Joseph Kenny. This was contrasted by the savage and deformed slave Caliban, played by Chloe Morris.

While the play portrays Prospero as a rational magician it shows Sycorax (Naomi Tolley) as a destructive magician. The audiences enjoyed the drunken antics and comic scenes played by Ryan Livermore as Stephano the butler and Trinculo the jester played by Georgie Lee.

There were also notable performances by Joshua Ryan as Alonso King of Naples, his son Ferdinand played by Zachary Burbridge, Antonia, Prospera's brother, played by Sophie George, Gonzala played by Olivia Richards and Sebastian played by Matilda Lysaght.

The start and end also featured the Mariners played by Charlotte Richmond, Courtney Howells, Will Smith and Francesca Bollingbroke, and led by Zack Dyable as the boatswain.

The show was directed by Simon Thompson who reversed the traditional staging and position of the audience to create a visually impressive island world. It was also included original music compositions by Harry Edwards an ex Paston student. Several local schools supported the production including Aldborough Primary, Broadland High and North Walsham High.