Interview: Aaron Parsons, director of RSC First Encounters – The Tempest

Can you tell me a little bit about your background and how you got into theatre? 

I don’t come from a theatrical background and grew up working class in Bristol. The turning point came at school when a visionary science teacher, Vic Ecclestone, encouraged me to join his all-boys dance company, the Hartcliffe Boys Dance Company. At the time, the idea of getting a group of boys from a council estate dancing was unheard of but he believed passionately in the potential of young people and that circumstances shouldn’t determine whether you had access to things like the arts. His influence was transformational and without him my life would probably have taken a different path.

Vic planted a seed so that when a theatre company performed at our school, it didn’t seem impossible to imagine myself in that world. With Vic’s support and encouragement, I finished school, went on to University and got a masters in directing from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After a stint running a youth theatre and working as a producer and a freelance director, my first job combining all of those skills was as the Associate Director at Prime Theatre in Swindon. Since then, I’ve worked on a number of shows for the RSC as well as with teachers and young people all over the country as part of their Creative Learning output. The Tempest will be my seventh production for the RSC. 

Can you tell us about the world you’re creating  for the play?  

For lots of people, First Encounters shows are their first experience of theatre and/or Shakespeare, so we want them to feel welcomed into another world as soon as they enter the space, like we’ve ‘taken over’. One way we’ll do this is by using familiar drama devices and motifs like costumes, masks and movement but presented in new, unexpected ways. We’ve also used colour and texture to create a vibrant but tactile set that invites audiences into the action and fires imaginations from the outset. The centrepiece is a large, green ‘mound’ reminiscent of most people’s idea of a desert island and behind are rows of fabric strips suspended from retractable arms – sort of abstract island trees – that can be extended or reduced depending on the venue.

Magic and the mysterious ‘noises’ of the island are recurring themes in The Tempest and we’ll use music and sound to help us create an ‘other-worldly’ atmosphere. Sound will come from different directions, at unpredictable moments and using amplifiers, a magical soundscape will feel like it’s wrapping around and holding the audience, echoing the omnipresence of the island’s magic. The Tempest is one of Shakespeare’s most musical plays and our composer, Jack, has created some beautiful, original music to accompany Shakespeare’s original lyrics.  

How do you think The Tempest will resonate with young audiences today?  

The play deals with a lot of complex issues like enslavement and colonialism that are often presented in a reductive, simplistic way. But young people are extraordinarily perceptive. We did a series of research and development sessions working with young people before going into rehearsals and one of the things that came up consistently was their understanding of injustice, particularly in relation to the treatment of Caliban and Ariel. Young people constantly questioned why Caliban and Ariel aren’t given a proper ending in the play. We’ve tried to address that through the editing process so that both characters get an ending or at least some agency and say over what happens next. For young people I think Ariel is also interesting as a character that transcends gender.

The actor who plays Ariel is non-binary so that representation on stage in itself is really important – especially if there are people in the audience looking to feel represented or questioning their own identity. The play also deals a lot with family relationships and the connections between parents and children which will resonate strongly with lots of members of our audiences. If in a small way it helps reduce isolation, foster greater empathy or just opens up some conversations, then that’s a positive thing. 

What interests you about creating theatre for younger audiences and why do you think it’s often taken less seriously than theatre aimed at adult audiences?   

It’s arguably the most important work that arts organisations and theatres do. All the cuts and barriers to accessing the arts and creativity mean that outreach work like this is more vital now than ever before. Without it, so many young people will never be exposed to the arts and may never discover their creative potential. That’s certainly true of my own experience where a trailblazing science teacher and a visit from Travelling Light Theatre to my school literally changed the trajectory of my life.

I do think that theatre made for young people lacks the recognition it deserves. I think in the UK it’s linked to status – a hangover from the past which is unfortunately still prevalent in theatre. The reality is that rehearsing and producing a show for young people is no different to any other rehearsal process, but the prevailing attitude for a long time has been that theatre aimed at children and families is simplistic, and all has the tone of panto.

It’s not the same in other countries in Europe or with other mediums like film or music where the level of skill and sophistication is fully acknowledged. I think for a long time, it was partly attitudes and partly due to the fact there were no dedicated spaces for young people’s theatre. But on the plus side, we are starting to see a shift and in recent years there’s been some extraordinary, high-quality work being made specifically for children and young people.

What impact do you hope The Tempest will have on audiences who see the show? 

Like The Tempest’s ‘brave new world’, I hope the experience will open up new perspectives and new possibility. Good theatre should prompt as many questions as it provides answers, so I hope it stimulates debate, sparks conversation and gives people permission to ask questions.

Shakespeare wrote The Tempest at a time that foreshadows the empire and where racial identities were taking shape. Topics like enslavement and colonialism are still presented through a very particular prism, so I hope people will leave having opened their minds to the importance of considering broader perspectives and discussion at a time in history where change and uncertainty threaten to polarise opinion.

I think a lot of people will be surprised by just how resonant the play’s themes and subject matter is today, drawing parallels between the play and what’s going on in our own world. If we can entertain as well as get people thinking and talking, then we’ll consider it a job well done.  

First Encounters: The Tempest is at York Theatre Royal from Mon 24 Feb – Tue 25 Feb.  

Find out more information and book your tickets here.