The Balinese production of The Tempestuses shadow puppetry to display an interpretation of William Shakespeare’s famous work. This alternative form of performance focuses more on the fluidity, or sharpness, of the characters’ movement. When analyzing Ariel in this form, it is very apparent that her actions are very projected compared to other characters, by the excess movement of her arms and fingers. However, this projection is shown not with velocity in motion, but with a very smooth complexion in Ariel’s movement. This emphasizes the fragility of her character by connecting her to something very easily tampered with, like the smoothness of still water, that changes with something even as soft as a breeze. The Balinese play also uses the clever technique of utilizing their lighting as a form of portraying Ariel’s character, by physically moving the actor towards and away from the light in order to change the size of the shadow shown. This was well utilized by not only Ariel, but the entire Balinese cast. When Prospero manipulates Ariel into believing that her deed was an act of gratitude for releasing her from her imprisonment, the cast makes Prospero noticeably larger in size and Ariel noticeably smaller. This adds dynamic contrast to the characters and allows the audience to view Ariel as much more timid and frail, as well as Prospero much scarier and evil.

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3 years ago