THE TEMPEST
A Review - by Sophie

| english | french |

I discovered Aidan in the gay drama “Queer As Folk” (not really original, you’ll say. I know, but Aidan, unfortunately, is not really famous here in France). Like some of you, I adored the drama and particularly noticed that black-haired character - Stuart Jones, arrogant and fragile, determined and yet lost.

So, I jumped on my computer, and started to search out everything I could about Mr. Gillen. Lo and behold, I discovered he was about to start acting in a play called “The Tempest” on the 15th of December 2000. There was no time to think about it. I decided to grab my suitcase and head straight to London! I even bought a ticket for the matinee performance on Saturday, the 16th of December. I knew nothing about the play, except that it was written by Shakespeare. So I was quite excited by the idea of seeing Aidan, in classical suit, playing in prose! And sure enough, I was completely amazed by the performance.

Each actor was perfect, starting with Ian MacDiarmid, who was a strong and brilliant Prospero (a man lost on his island with his daughter - who would bear witness to people’s madness). We even laughed a lot during the play -- I would have never imagined it was possible to laugh in a Shakespeare play! And Aidan was just brilliant. I can hear you saying “He must be brilliant, he's Aidan Gillen“. You would be right, but it was more than that…

Aidan played Ariel, the airy spirit who follows Prospero everywhere he goes and helps guide him, and some other spirits. About the character, Shakespeare says: "It is really hard to distinguish Ariel’s true identity behind the multitude of disguises in which he manifests himself: as the fiery phenomenon of the storm, the nymph of the sea, the harpy, the Goddess Ceres, the disembodied voice. Air is his element, he becomes palpable only as a concession to human power." I think this is really a nice description of what he was in the play, and maybe even of what he really is as an actor. That’s probably why Jonathan Kent, the director, instantly said 'Aidan is Ariel', the first time they met. There must be a part of Ariel in Aidan.

Blond-haired, the face of an angel, with a strong presence and lots of charisma. When Aidan is on stage, you just can’t see anyone else. He’s got that special thing, that power to give the right feelings to the audience. It’s a real pleasure to watch him acting, cause he really puts everything into the performance. Physically, Ariel was a strong and difficult character to play. Aidan had to disappear down by the sea, to reappear but a few minutes later in the air, suspended head-over-heels, like a bird. Or maybe an angel.

I left for the performance with the idea of Aidan Gillen as Stuart Jones and that was all, because I hadn't seen him in any other context. I took the train back to Paris with so much more. I had the distinct sensation that I had met quite possibly the most brilliant actor of his generation. I also returned with the certitude of having discovered a great guy - human and kind. Simple and true.