THE season of Shakespeare’s late plays continues
at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with a glorious production of The
Winter’s Tale.
It is not an easy play – there is plenty going
on with lots of twists and turns within the story, a whole range of
emotions and there are also an array of themes including rage, love,
jealousy, child death, forgiveness and abandonment.
It is also a play of two halves – the first
being full of sadness and terrible things happening to the characters
and the second much more lighthearted and romantic.
But bathed in the rich glow of the many candles
that light this small and intimate Bankside theatre the play comes
alive beautifully.
Being so close to the stage and the action you can
really feel the claustrophobic and toxic atmosphere of the court of
Leontes, King of Sicilia during the first half.
The rage and indignation of the King who convinces
himself his pregnant wife Hermione has been having an affair with
Polixenes, King of Bohemia is plain to see.
One of the most frightening scenes was that of the
famous scene when Antigonus exits “pursued by a bear”. The
theatre suddenly goes dark and you hear even if you can’t see.
But in the second half the stage comes alive with
the happiness and fun which surrounds the young Perdita and her love
Florizel.
The ending is of course more about forgiveness and
love – with Leontes seeking forgiveness from his wronged wife and
the union of Florizel and Perdita.
The cast is superb with a great performance from
John Light as Leontes who we can just about forgive for being so
irrational and deranged in his belief that his wife has been
unfaithful.
Elsewhere Rachael Stirling is stunning as Hermione
and Niamh Cusack as Paulina is refreshingly fiery and determined.
But for me the night belonged to James Garnon as
the opportunist pickpocket and bounder Autolycus. With numerous comic
asides to the audience and jumping over the seats to join us at
various intervals his performance was light, bright and a joy to
watch.
The Winter’s Tale is on at the Sam Wanamaker
Playhouse until April 22. Tickets from £10. Visit
www.shakespearesglobe.com/ for full listings.
No comments:
Post a Comment