Harbouring a love of Shakespeare

Arts & Entertainment Scene

Rita Bratovich
January 4, 2023

Image: Jo Bloom, Sontaan Hopson, Alec Ebert in The Tempest aboard the Southern Swan. Image: author

This is next-level experiential theatre: sitting on the deck of a 100-year-old Danish barquentine ship in the middle of Sydney Harbour, being gently lulled by the wash of passing boats as an enthusiastic 4-person troupe of actors perform Shakespeare’s The Tempest all around you.

Come You Spirits is an independent, innovative theatre company that seeks to provide a rejuvenating, creative experience through the ageless resonance of Shakespeare’s words, the inherent spiritualism of nature, and ancient healing practice. They perform in unique spaces including parks, tunnels, historic buildings – and now, a tall ship.

Charles Mayer and Sontaan Hopson (in crows nest)

Shakespeare’s tale of shipwrecked and sorcery, The Tempest, is distilled down to four characters and 90 minutes. Jo Bloom (Caliban), Charles Mayer (Prospero), Alec Ebert (Ferdinand), and Sontaan Hopson (Ariel) discreetly assimilate other characters in the play into their own, and through sheer skill – or perhaps magic – they are able to convey the story effectively despite limited props, sets and effects.

Despite the casual setting, the actors are all committed to their roles. Audience members are encouraged to relax, even walk around if they chose, but no one does because the performance is genuinely riveting. Even though there are no mics or acoustic-friendly surfaces, the actors are surprisingly audible over passing craft.

The audience is roughly 40 people, seated around and on a square platform in the middle of the deck. The action takes place all over the boat – all of it! From the bowsprit (the pointy bit at the front), walking along the side rails, at the aft (rear of the ship), and in the crows nest atop the third mast.

The evening begins at 7pm during the last vestiges of daylight, aboard the Southern Swan, a beautifully preserved square-rigger, tri-masted ship. It leaves port and motors out of Circular Quay and eastward before cutting the engine somewhere near Bradley’s Point – well short of the larger swell that comes through the heads.

Here, the play begins, with the ship tranquilly rocking and a peach-skin coloured sunset providing a stunning backdrop. During the show, dinner is served. There is a bar on board as well – inside a cut-out barrel. The crew continues working, gradually unfurling the sails; the activity adds to whole ambience.

As the performance enters the last act, the ship sails slowly back towards the quay. By now it’s twilight, city lights are on, and there is a sense of fantasy as the ship passes beneath the dark, high underside of the Harbour Bridge, lingering for a while in front of Luna Park before passing beneath again and heading back to port.

In the meantime, the performance has concluded – with a fun little dance – and the friendly, approachable actors have mingled, answered questions, posed for photos and basically helped make this one of the best theatrical and outdoor adventure experiences you can possibly have in this or any other city.