Shakespeare died at the age of 52, when most creative writers are at or reaching their peak. His last play, The Tempest, signals what a loss that was; what Everests he might have yet have scaled in a traditional life-span of three score and ten years or thereabouts. There is much about the play that makes it an inspired choice by the Abbey Theatre for the festive season. It has all the colourful elements of the pantomime; a sorcerer, clowns, a princess as isolated as any sleeping beauty, a noble suitor, villains (including Mikel Murfi, right), a sort-of-good fairy and a happy ending. It's not often that a set runs away with the major production honours, but the Abbey's design, by Monica Frawley, does and deserves to. Do see it.