Prospero Walks! | The San Diego Shakespeare Society

Posted October 9, 2026 by Gordon Gidlund |

On October 3^rd, 2026, a jury of 17 “Neapolitans” found Prospero not guilty of piracy and false imprisonment. Many thanks to our diligent paparazzo Dennis Williams who recorded the unfolding spectacle.

L to R: Janaki Stoeckley (Prof. Sidney St. John), Genevieve Tai (Miranda), Addison Houle, (Clerk and Understudy), Josh Freeman (Caliban), Gordon Gidlund (Judge and Playwright), Jaden Salerno (Ferdinand), Sam Kolodezh (Antonio), Susan Benninghoff (Defense counsel) Tom Haine (Prospero), and Sam Bettwy (Prosecutor).

“Through these mock trials, we analyze a particular Shakespeare play by means of the Anglo-American adversarial system of justice.”

“In the matter of the Kingdom of Naples against Prospero, all persons having business before this Court draw near and give your full attention, the Honorable Judge Guido Sarducci presiding.”

**Prosecutor:** “Who is Prospero?”

**Caliban:** “A stern tyrant I served, a sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of mine isle.”

**Defense counsel:** “So you don’t remember suggesting to your pals that they batter Prospero’s skull with a log?

**Caliban:** (Shrugging shoulders) “Alas.”

“Supplant Prospero I did, for the weal of the state. Woe to the land that’s govern’d by a book-man.”

“We all felt a fever of the mad. Let me confess I plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel.”

“So, with a lodestone that was powerful enough, the King’s ship could have theoretically been drawn off its course toward the island.”

“My schoolmaster Prospero was who made me more profit than other princesses could, that had more time for vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.”

“Didst thine ears miscarry as I spoke of my so perfidious brother Antonio?”

About Gordon Gidlund

A tax attorney, he currently sits on the Society's Board of Directors and serves as its Playwright of Mock Trials. He runs regularly with Archie, the Wonder Dog. Read more about him here.

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