The Tempest

About the show

Blending live performance, music, and striking visual effects, this production will bring to life a world where power is tested and forgiveness becomes its own kind of magic. Thoughtful, imaginative, and provocative, The Tempest is Shakespeare’s final play — and one of his most moving. Brownsea Open Air Theatre is an open-air Shakespearean theatre company based in Poole, Dorset that has performed large theatrical productions since 1964. One of the biggest theatrical projects in the south, the annual production originated on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset in 1964 to celebrate Shakespeare's 400th birthday. In 2025 BOAT moved to the mainland. Our annual Shakespeare production is now staged in the beautiful grounds of Canford School in a purpose built auditorium, with free parking (including accessible parking) and a large picnic area with toilet facilities. Canford School also offer food and refreshments before the show and during the interval. BOAT receive excellent national and regional coverage, and have been featured in The Guardian as one of the UK's Top 10 Open Air Theatre Venues, Debrett's 2009 list of the top five things to do in England and in 2019 Woman's Weekly featured BOAT as one of the Top 5 Open Air Theatres in the UK. Since 1964 BOAT has involved over 1,700 volunteers, entertained thousands of people and raised over £300,000 for local charities and good causes.