William Shakleton on his upcoming role in The Tempest

Shakespeare in the Squares presents The Tempest By William Shakespeare. Sioned Jones directs Mark Carlisle, Laura Gomez Gracia, Indigo Griffiths, Phyllis Ho, Ellis Kerkhoven, William Shackleton, Wilf Walsworth and Sasha Wilson. The production, which tours to 18 squares across London in the most ambitious season to date, opens on 21 June at Arundel and Ladbroke Gardens, with previews from 15 June, and completes its run on 8 July at Cleveland Square. 

Shakespeare in the Squares is now a central fixture in the calendar of Summer outdoor theatre, with each production tailored to the individual garden squares. The company works with the garden committees and other local organisations to create a unique community celebration around the play.

“O wonder! 

How many goodly creatures are there here!

How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world 

That has such people in’t!”

The Artiscape spoke with Actor William Shackleton about his roles in the play. He plays Antonio/Stefano. His theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet, The Merry Wives of Windsor (UK tour), A Christmas Carol (Germany tour) and Testament (Hope Theatre/UK tour/Chalk Line Theatre). William is also an Associate Artist of Chalk Link Theatre. 

Can you tell us about the characters you play?

Shackleton: Antonio is Prospero’s brother; and the villain of the play. He usurped Prospero’s Dukedom of Milan, and then banished him and his daughter, Miranda, 12 years before the beginning of the play. He is an associate of King Alonso of Naples and has a close partnership with the King’s sister, Sebastia. He is ruthless, ambitious, machiavellian and always on the lookout for the next opportunity to gain more power. 

In contrast, Stephano is a drunken butler who works for King Alonso of Naples. His best friend in the world is Trincula, the royal jester. They are both haphazard, loveable people with big hearts. They bring much of the comic relief in the play and cause all sorts of mischief during their visit to Prospero’s island.   

What appeals to you about the character you play?

Shackleton: On Antonio, who doesn’t love playing a villain? I get to access a side of myself I never explore in my actual life – and I get to study the mind of someone who is completely different to me. Antonio is also very witty, dry and careful with his words which is just so exciting to bring to life as an actor.  With Stephano I then get to explore the complete antithesis of Antonio: a loevable, drunken fool who has pretty low expectations from life and, ultimately, has a heart of gold. He’s funny, quick, unintentionally charismatic, gullible and catastrophic – what’s not to love? 

What about the play appeals to you?

Shackleton: The Tempest is a really wonderful play and, having not really delved into it since school, it’s just a joy to be working on one of Shakespeare’s plays that feels so fresh to me. It’s also got such range. Some of the characters are nobility, some are working class, some are magical, ethereal beings – it has so many different dynamics working against each other. This combined with the really unique setting of an island that seems to have a mind of its own, expressed through Shakespeare’s extraordinary text, makes for what I might argue to be his most magical play (big claim I know). It’s just got so much going on – with some of his best writing, particularly in Prospero’s later speeches, which has just been a joy for us all to investigate. 

As an actor, what are the challenges in preparing for a Shakespearean role?

Shackleton: The challenges with preparing Shakespeare are that you have to have a really 3 dimensional understanding of the text. You need to be connecting with it on an emotional, physical and psychological level – so that requires a lot of different kinds of work. Text work is essential, but then you have to make the leap from the intellectual and cerebral to the instinctive, guttural world of Shakespeare and it’s there that it really comes alive. His plays were written to be performed – so you often find you understand them in a new way once you’ve got them up on their feet. 

What do you feel an audience will take from this production?

Shackleton: I think an audience will enjoy a bloody good night out seeing this show. Music, beautiful storytelling, love, betrayal, forgiveness: it’s Shakespeare that doesn’t take itself too seriously but retains everything that’s extraordinary about his work. We can’t wait for people to see it!