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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
The Winter's Tale
Verdict: Stylish Shakespeare
UK Tour - 2005
The Winter’s Tale is touring on these dates 2005:
20 Jan – 19 Mar: Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury (01635 46044)
13–16 Apr: Malvern Festival Theatre (01684 892 277)
19–23 Apr: Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford (01483 440 000)
26–30 Apr: The Lowry, Manchester (0870 787 5790)
3–7 May: Liverpool Everyman Theatre (0151 709 4776)
10–14 May: Oxford Playhouse (01865 305 305)
17–21 May: Richmond Theatre (0870 4000 868)
24–28 May: Newcastle Theatre Royal (0870 905 5060)
Director Edward Hall’s highly acclaimed all-male Shakespeare company Propeller gives a must-see performance of this tale of love, jealousy and consequence. The Winter’s Tale runs at 2.5 hours with a one interval. There’s a cast of 12.
The Winter’s Tale begins with unjustified accusations by jealous Leontes, King of Sicilia, (Richard Clothier) of an affair between his devoted wife Hermione (Simon Scardifield) and his childhood friend Polixenes, King of Bohemia (Vince Leigh). The plot unfolds around the disastrous events succeeding this allegation, followed by a delightfully comedic second half, and the consequences.
The audience is enticed into the story, opening gently with a glimpse into the mind of a child. This continues to haunt throughout, providing an intriguing framework to the play. Action moves swiftly to a dynamic party scene, with candlelight shining through old glass windows - the sound of chinking brandy glasses and laughter fills the room.
Joviality ends abruptly. A bare stage and lonely metallic set echoes the bleakness of the unfolding situation. Later, it tranforms to vibrant countryscape. The versatility of Michael Pavelka’s design and Ben Ormerod’s lighting matches the pace of performance - and constantly engages attention.
Edward Hall’s quoted insistence that, “We don’t want to make the plays ‘accessible’, as this implies that they need ‘dumbing down’ in order to be understood, which they don’t” is expounded through his meticulous direction and ruthless text-work.
Highlights include Simon Scardifield as Hermione - retaining the character’s dignity whilst heavily pregnant, even when battling with the most desperate emotions during her horrific ordeal; and as Dorcas the Shepherdess, portraying this jealous and conniving girl with such physical eloquence that the gender barrier ceases to exist.
Adam Levy delivers faithful Paulina with such passion that his slightest facial expression invites a powerful emotional response.
Tam Williams (Perdita) and Dugald Bruce Lockhart (Florizel, son of Polixenes) play young lovers at a sheep-shearing festival with provocative romantic potency.
Performances ranging from men and women to children - even sheep - are superbly executed with exceptional focus. They reflect the excellence of the company as a whole.
The ease with which the cast opens the door to Shakespeare’s world and tells the story reflects their dedication. There is truthfulness and conviction in the portrayal of a myriad of contradictory human emotions. Edward Hall’s direction reveals these polar opposites – that, for example, no moment can be entirely jubilant or utterly desperate; and once things have been said or done, life will never be as it was before.
Probing deep into the contrasting themes of the text, this beautifully acted, stylish production pulls the audience through a labyrinth of human emotions and reaffirms Propeller’s position as one of the top theatre troupes in the UK.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Bob Barrett - Camillo, Lord of Sicilia. Tony Bell - Autolycus, a rogue; Officer, Lord of Sicilia. Richard Clothier - Leontes, King of Sicilia. Alasdair Craig - 1st Lady, Queen Hermione’s Attendant; Cleomenes, Lord of Sicilia; Mariner. Vince Leigh - Polixenes, King of Bohemia. Adam Levy - Paulina, Antigonus’s Wife. Dugald Bruce Lockhart - Antigonus, Lord of Sicilia; Florizel, Son of Polixenes. Chris Myles - Dion, Lord of Sicilia; Old Shepherd. Simon Scardifield - Dorcas, Shepherdess; Hermione, Queen of Sicilia. James Tucker - Emilia, Queen Hermione’s Attendant; Young Shepherd. Jules Werner - 1st Lord of Sicilia; Mopsa, Shepherdess. Tam Williams – Mamillius; Perdita; Time. Other parts played by members of the company.
Company Credits: Writer - William Shakespeare. Director - Edward Hall. Designer - Michael Pavelka. Lighting Designer - Ben Ormerod. Music by - Tony Bell, Dugald Bruce Lockhart, Jules Werner, Richard Clothier. Movement by - Adam Levy. Assistant Director - Adam Penford. Text Edited by - Edward Hall, Roger Warren . Production Manager - Lawrence T. Doyle. Stage Manager - Rebecca Emery. Assistant Production Manager - Jen Shepherd. Deputy Stage Manager - Jenefer Tait. Assistant Stage Managers - Catherine Harper, Jo Ashberry. Head of Wardrobe - Sandra Robbs. Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor - Carley Marsh. Wardrobe Assistants - Nicky Collins, Manuelle Binet. Set Construction - Matt Steele-Childe. Scenic Artist - Jules Fuller. Assistant Carpenter - Ed Green. Metal Work Construction - Ray Doncaster. With special thanks to - Angie Kendall.
END
(c) Holly Davis 2005
reviewed Saturday 26 February 05 / The Watermill, Bagnor
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
