Last time the theatre tackled this play, Vanessa Redgrave was Prospero. This time, not only is the wizard played by a man, so is everybody else. Only three men, though. Rylance is Prospero, Stephano and Alonso; Alex Hassell is Caliban, Gonzalo, Sebastian and Ferdinand; and Edward Hogg is Ariel, Antonio, Trinculo and Miranda. There are also three dancers: Liz Collier, Fiona Creese and Sian Williams (the latter also choreographs). Tim Carroll directs (or, as the Globe puts it, he is “Master of Play”). Design is by Jenny Tiramani and music by Claire van Kampen. Singers include tenor Daniel Auchinloss, baritone Benjamin Bevan, basses Robert MacDonald and Stuart Young, countertenors William Missin and William Purefoy, and soprano Faye Newton.

The globe has organized a series of special events around the production. “Child’s Play” is an introduction to The Tempest for 8–11 year olds. It takes place on some Saturdays at 2 PM; tickets are £10. “Setting the Scene,” talks on the play by leading scholars, is scheduled for some Tuesdays at 6 PM, with tickets £4. Other events include “Talking Theatre,” featuring members of the Globe Theatre Company; and “Wisdom of Shakespeare,” a weekend course with Rylance and author Peter Dawkins, exploring the meaning, symbolism and teaching in The Tempest — tickets £70 — on May 28 and 29.

For more information, visit www.shakespeares-globe.org or call (0)20 7401 9919.