Caliban

One big dramatic role. Actors from across the world tell us what the part means and what it means to them. This time: Caliban.

Described as "half a fish and half a monster", and the original inhabitant of the remote island setting. This is a character oft-maligned and possibly misunderstood, in Shakespeare's The Tempest. The role has inspired many interpretations, with actors uncovering new dimensions to this complex figure.

John Kani, the South African actor known for portraying T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Rafiki in The Lion King, embraced the challenge of reinterpreting Caliban in a South African context. In his reading, Caliban is the island's rightful Indigenous owner, oppressed and exploited by Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan who has taken control of the island. Kani performed the role in both Cape Town and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Faizal Abdullah's interpretation is also informed by a post-colonial perspective, with his Singaporean heritage becoming part of the character. He delivered lines in both his native Malay and his second language, English. Faizal performed the role at Shakespeare's Globe in London.

Actor and director Tim Crouch has written a play for young audiences, I, Caliban, told entirely from Caliban's perspective. He reflects on how he brought out particular aspects of the character for children and explains why he believes the role remains so open to reinterpretation.

And Liz Kettle shares her experience of playing Caliban from a female perspective, and how the production she appeared in drew on themes of the climate crisis and the repeated exploitation of poorer countries by wealthier nations for their resources.

Producer: Eliza Lomas
Series development: Sam Grist
Editor: Emma Harding
For BBC Audio, Bristol