Blake, Beethoven and Tempest is a philosophical play about the poetic imagination. Through his use of literary allegory, author Stanley K. Freiberg explores the lives, works, and creative ideologies of Romantic poet William Blake, and composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

The play is set on Prospero’s enchanted island from Shakespeare’s The Tempest where symphonies and literary characters at once materialize and then melt into thin air. Artistic influences and traditions appear and disappear from the dreamlike shared consciousness of Blake and Beethoven, both shipwrecked on the island.

After The Hidden City, a Poem of Peru was successfully adapted for the stage and produced to critical acclaim by Julian Cervello in 2015, Freiberg knew that Cervello would also be the one to bring Blake, Beethoven and the Tempest to the stage.

“That Julian Cervello has taken upon himself to adapt and direct the book-

length work for stage presentation is both gratifying and remarkable. His

skillful inclusions of Stephanie Johanson’s imaginative illustrations from the

original work enhance the production.”

— Stanley K. Freiberg” (The Hidden City Theatrical Programme, 2015)

Here, Cervello reads the Preface and Opening scene of Blake, Beethoven and The Tempest. It is his hope and Freiberg’s hope that this work will also be produced in the near future.

Read by Iris MacGregor Bannerman

D‍‍r. ‍Iris studied theatre and drama at the Rose Bruford College for Speech and Drama, in London, England. Upon leaving College, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. A veteran performer with numerous roles on stage, film, television and radio, Iris then joined the National Theatre School in Montreal in 1971 as the Head of Voice and Speech. She then went on to become the Director of the Acting Program at Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto where she wrote the highly acclaimed curriculum for the four year Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. She obtained her Ph. D. from the University of Toronto in 1995.

Since moving west, Iris has taught with the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, Cucumber Satellite, Lyric School of Acting and now with John Cassini at Railtown. Iris has been an integral part in developing outstanding professional actors. Her book on voice entitled "Think, Breathe, Speak" is highly sought after.