Review: THE TEMPEST at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Date: 4th January 2025 Seat: Balcony A20 Tickets: Paid for Stars: 3.5 When you hear that Sigourney Weaver is making her West End debut as Prospero in The Tempest , it’s impossible not to feel a buzz of excitement. Alien queen turned Shakespearean sorcerer? Sign me up. Throw in Jamie Lloyd’s signature sleek direction and a stage as grand as Drury Lane, and you’ve got a recipe for something unforgettable - or at least, that’s the hope. But while this production delivers moments of pure magic, it doesn’t always cast the spell you’re hoping for. Let’s tackle the big one first: Sigourney Weaver. There’s no denying her star power - just her name on the poster makes you want to grab a ticket (it worked for me, anyway). But here’s the thing: her Prospero feels oddly distant. Weaver has a calm, almost understated presence, which works in moments of quiet introspection but leaves you wanting more fire in the belly during the play’s most intense scenes. Her delivery is measured...