Review: THE WINTER’S TALE, Shakespeare’s Globe
Photo credit: Tristram Kenton
As we reach the tail end of the Winter season, The Winter’s Tale plays out within The Globe theatre complex - an innovative production spanning two beautiful theatres that create two distinct worlds telling stories of jealousy and family ties through director Sean Holmes’ inspired vision.
The first act is reminiscent of The Menu; as all of Act 1 is told as characters circle a dinner table, while characters are served food more akin to modern art than a roast dinner with a very foreboding vibe surrounding the whole ordeal. The immediate nature of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse allows for a more interrogatory piece, one that winds its way around the stage in the candlelight as Sergo Vares explores Leontes’ loss of composure in a quiet jealousy insanity.
As you move to the outdoor Globe Theatre for Act 2, Bohemia is presented as something altogether very different, quite literally a world away from the polished and almost post-modern Sicilia. The concept proves itself here as something that goes beyond a gimmick, and really does serve and enhance the story. And with a much more relaxed atmosphere, Holmes even takes a slightly different directorial approach, so as to reinforce the fact you’re now somewhere else, and paired with designer Grace Smart’s distinct costumes, the world is full and wonderfully cohesive when it needs to be, and knows when to visibly clash.
Bohemia becomes a place where men are chased and eaten by bears, where peddlers sing folk songs and make references to Lemsip and The Godfather. Where the audience can join in with the festival, dancing with the people of Bohemia and while at first this is definitely a shock to the system, it works so well for this play.
The cast contribute massively to this and are able to adapt to their surrounding atmosphere incredibly well, as they go from a large outdoor space to a small theatre and still maintain the essence of their characters.
A stand out performance comes from Ed Gaughan as the Peddler Autolycus, offering a blend of old Shakespearean and modern one liners that flow wonderfully and allow those less experienced with the Elizabethan language to still access the story. A brilliant example of re-contextualising and making it accessible for a modern audience. Otherwise, one would be doing what so many have done before for 400 years!
This innovative production is a golden example of modern Shakespeare, not afraid to bring new ideas to the table. We really hope to see much more of this in the future. Now if you’ll forgive us, there’s a bear looming over us that looks pretty threatening… best for us to exit now and hope it doesn’t pursue us!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Callum Wallace
The Winter’s Tale plays at Shakespeare’s Globe until 16 April, with further information here.
