Relationship lessons to learn from Shakespeare in the Park - The Tempest

Shakespeare in the Park – The Tempest @ Fort Canning Park

Candlelight dinners or movies may be some of the usual ways that you and your partner do on date nights to spend some quality alone time together – sans the kids.

Sometimes if you’re lucky, couple time happens at least once a month. I can’t blame you if you’re bored of the same mundane activities. Instead, how about a picnic date under the stars as you watch Shakespeare’s The Tempest?

Sometimes I tend to run out of fresh and romantic ideas for date night with my partner. However, being fans of Shakespeare, we decided to immerse ourselves in the magical realism world of Shakespeare, as directed by British director, Braham Murray.

Shakespeare connects with the audience through his characters

Filled with magic and romance, The Tempest revolves around the former Duke of Milan, Prospero and his daughter, Miranda who were stranded on a deserted island. Along with other spirits and creatures, a storm swept Prospero’s brother, Antonio, and the King of Naples, Alonso, to the very same island.

As we know, Shakespeare is known for creating distinct characters in his works, and the connection and relationship with each role are easily relatable through their speech and acting. Here are some relationship lessons we can pick up from The Tempest:

Shakespeare has shown using the characters in the story that the mistakes made can be relatable to the audience in real life. Developing an open relationship between a parent and child is key to keeping the bond strong. Prospero became quite protective of his only child when she fell in love with Ferdinand, Alonso’s son. This then made him get in the way of their relationship which resulted to Miranda’s rebellion against him.

The trials and tribulations that Prospero and Miranda faced such as the shipwreck, made the parental bond between them even stronger. A father could only provide so much to his child such as basic necessities, even despite owning few luxuries. In troubled times, kinship is always there to support and take one through.

Sometimes a relationship between a male and a female doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic one. Miranda’s kind-natured personality has unknowingly led Caliban, Prospero’s slave, to think that she’s attracted to him. For Caliban’s case, he mistook Miranda’s friendship for love. Just like in our own lives, we meet people of the opposite gender, and it’s normal to have regular relationships with them such as colleagues.

Some tips on how you and partner can prepare yourselves for the outdoor play

The Singapore Repertory Theatre is no stranger to the many enchanting Shakespeare in the Park productions that they have produced. Some of the many successful plays consist of Othello, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing and The Merchant of Venice which has enthralled thousands who have attended the shows in the past.

If it’s your first time watching any of their productions or catching an outdoor theatre production, here are some useful tips to get you and your partner ready:

• Bear in mind that this is an outdoor theatre production so pack along a picnic mat that’s big enough for you and your partner. Chairs of any kind aren’t allowed.
• As this is a rain or shine event, bringing ponchos would be a better alternative as umbrellas would be too much of a hassle. It won’t be very nice to block people’s view with your umbrella.
• Dress comfortably! A comfy, flowy dress from the lady and a pair of pants for the man would be ideal as you’ll be seated on the ground for most of the time.
• ATM machines will not be available on the premises so do bring sufficient cash. Food and beverages can be purchased from nearby restaurants before the play starts or during intermission. No one is allowed to move around when the play has started to prevent distractions.

Have you seen or read The Tempest? Share with us what you think of the play or the production in our Comment Box below. Like us FB or follow us on G+.