The Sea Venture and The Tempest

The Sea Venture was a ship heading for the Virginia colony which was wrecked off Bermuda. James Shapiro introduces us to A True Repertory which tells the story. Amazingly, everyone survived and went on to join their fellow colonists.

The popular account featured both the shipwreck and an attempted coup by the survivors. Shakespeare saw the dramatic potential in the story and in 1611 produced The Tempest - a magical, unsettling piece, full of the dynastic politics of the time.

Shapiro attends Royal Shakespeare Company rehearsals for the play and introduces the actors to the True Repertory's vivid account of the storm.