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:

Simon Tavener - 31 January 2013

The Winter's Tale does have a reputation for being a problematic play. The verse is some of the most challenging Shakespeare ever wrote and the overall structure of the text presents directors with some difficult choices. Whilst Lucy Bailey uses her considerable creativity to resolve some of these issues, this new production fails to fully reconcile the audience to the piece – leaving us somewhat lost as to what to make of it.

Bailey and designer William Dudley have chosen to use projection as a significant element of the production. For large sections of the action, the backdrop to the stage is an ever-changing seascape moving from the sunlit still calm of the opening scene through to vicious storms as Leontes (Jo-Stone Fewings) descends into his jealous rages.

No doubt the intent is to reflect the emotional state of the characters, but this constant digital movement becomes a serious distraction that detracts from, rather than reinforces, the jou...

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Latest User Review

Isobel Sheppard - 7 April 2013:

Saw this in Edinburgh and enjoyed it thoroughly - occasionally really had to strain the old ears to catch the lines and didn't like the lovers shouting their affection at one another. Loved Pearce-Quigley's performance. Glad to have seen it...

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