The Tempest | Ivona Princess of Burgundy

3rd year American College Dublin performing arts students present William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and A play By Polish Playwright Witold Gombrowicz ‘Ivona, Princess of Burgundy’ at the Sean O’Casey Theatre, Dublin. 

Ivona is an absurdist comedy play centred around The Royal Family, King Ignatius, Queen Margaret and the heir, Prince Phillip. The King and Queen are trying to betroth Prince Phillip with no success. The Bored prince, tired of his Mundane frivolous life of riches, games, lust-full encounters, the high life, etc… is seeking that ‘Something Else’ to give life meaning and shed his ennui. He encounters Ivona, a seemingly dumb, ignorant, low life, ugly peasant, who has been raised by two selfish, grotesque, pushy aunts. Has Philip found his match? What will the Royal Family make of her….?

The Tempest was probably written in 1610/1611, and thought to be one of the last plays that shakespeare wrote alone. After the first scene, which takes place on a ship at sea during a tempest, the rest of the story is set on a remote island, where Prospero, a complex and contradictory character, lives with his daughter Miranda, and his two servants: Caliban, a savage monster figure, and Areil, an airy spirit. The play contains music and songs that evoke the spirit of enchantment on the island. It explores many themes, including magic, betrayal, revenge, and family.