Nella Tempesta
“I cried to dream again.”
– Caliban
Motus returns to La MaMa as the final production in our Tempest 3 series.
Nella Tempesta creates a short circuit between Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Une Tempête by Aimé Césaire. Reflecting on the turmoil in our society and the consequences of the economic crisis, the performance also speaks about storms in the Mediterranean Sea, which are sinking the migrants ships that set sail from the coast of North Africa to reach Europe—“Brave new world,” to quote Miranda and Aldous Huxley. This version of The Tempest imagines the play about a world not as it appears to be ending, but a world on the verge of a new beginning.
Ongoing: Blanket Drive
Blankets play a very important part in Motus Theatre Company’s Nella Tempesta – both on stage and off. Audiences are encouraged to bring clean blankets to the performances – They will be used in the show and then donated to a local charitable organization.
The New York Times Raves!
“The Motus Theater Company of Italy is the most truly revolutionary troupe in town! …this production turns a cast of six and an assortment of blankets into an 80-minute youthquake that seems likely to leave even cynical audience members shaken and stirred! … The third installment of La MaMa’s season of plays inspired by “The Tempest” (which included an New York-grown version and an import from South Korea), “Nella Tempesta” is openly didactic and exhortative in ways seldom encountered in American theater these days… And for as long as this determined, resourceful company is in extravagant, unceasing motion onstage, you may even believe that world-shaking change is possible after all!”
– Ben Brantley, New York Times
… more PRAISE for NELLA TEMPESTA!
“Political Drama At Its Finest …the company presents rigorous theater that is unafraid of the larger inquiry into dynamics of power and people. Calling out and screaming for justice is the mainstay of this drama…It’s refreshing to see this kind of play at La MaMa. Plays like Nella Tempesta provide exactly the kind of theater experience that keeps La MaMa so relevant.”
– Marcina Zaccarina, Theater Pizzazz
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“A mind expanding new production from Italy’s Motus Theatre Company that masterfully illuminates contemporary political and climate change issues alongside text borrowed from Shakespeare.”
– Keith Paul Medelis, Theatre is Easy
Special Event
Post-Show Talkback
Thursday, December 18th: Post-Show Talkback on Tempest 3
Following the 8pm performance, there will be a dialogue with Karin Coonrod and artist from Motus Theatre Company on La MaMa’s TEMPEST 3 project, moderated by Jessica Litwak (Theatre Without Borders, Fulbright Specialist & La MaMa alum). Video research by Motus Theatre Company will also be presented. Special guest: Judith Malina of The Living Theatre