The Winter's Tale

Synopsis

'Pray you, sit by us, and tell's a tale. Merry or sad shall't be? As merry as you will. A sad tale's best for winter.' A tale of passion, jealousy, fantasy and fairytale, the play charts the transition from winter to spring, tragedy to comedy, and revenge to romance. It is the story of high adventure where an angry King falsely accuses and discards his family to his later regret

Our Review:

Anne Morley-Priestman - 26 September 2011

The wrath of the king is death. It takes a higher power to temper it. Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale is a play of two halves, each a slightly distorted reflection of the concerns of the other. Almost-victim Polixenes becomes a potential tyrant. Pathologically jealous Leontes is reduced to guilt-ridden impotence. Sue Lefton’s intelligent production, brilliantly designed by Richard Foxton, gives force its due place but keeps us safe with the knowledge that some oracles never lie.

Visually we are n a pared-down Mediterranean space some time ago (but not so far past that it has lost immediacy). The programme notes cite Schiaparelli and Christo as influences; you could add Magritte and Vettriano. There is light, but this sun is red, not gold. Apollo is a death-dealing archer as well as the patron of the Muses. The Bohemia countryside in the fourth act has feasting and morris dancing but its tenure on happiness is fragile.

Two of the be...

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Latest User Review

Amy Penthman - 28 September 2011:

Really enjoyed this production! Some really clever direction using shadow play for the bear and some great performances - notably Shuna Snow and also the charming Fred Lancaster. Well worth the trip just slightly out of London. ...

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