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Picture sourceMost of the so-called “romances” of Shakespeare get mixed reviews, sometimes called failed experiments. The blending of tragedy and comedy in A Winter’s Tale mimics the fine line in real life between the two (and the play itself seems to be making somewhat of a comeback). While the whole is enjoyable what really stands […]
This production is a filmed stage production from the RSC’s 1998/99 season performed at the Barbican Theatre, London. The staging is mostly stark (with the pastoral scene as a notable exception), which allows the players’ performances to be the central focus. Despite the minimal sets, some uses were rather innovative (for example the draped sheets […]
Winter’s Tale: Act Four, Scene Three, (Florizel, Perdita, Shepherd, Clown, Mopsa, etc.)James FittlerPicture source The act opens with Leontes lamenting his loss of Hermione, with a scolding Paulina to continually remind the King that he is responsible for his wife’s death. The effusive praise heaped on Hermione does get tiring, begging the question of how […]
Perdita by Anthony Frederick Augustus SandysPicture source The passing of 16 years is performed by the character Time, who begs our forgiveness with liberties taken in speeding ahead and also fills us in on what has happened: Leontes leaving,Th’ effects of his fond jealousies so grievingThat he shuts up himself, imagine me,Gentle spectators, that I […]
Samuel Middiman engraving of Act Three, Scene Three Picture sourceScene i is very short, but packed with stylistic foreshadowing of things to come in addition to basic information of things that have happened offstage. The two lords sent to the Oracle in Act II Scene i have returned. Cleomenes and Dion describe their visit to […]
Mrs. Siddons as Hermione at Drury Lane, 1802Act II’s power comes from three sources: Leontes’ further descent into paranoia and madness, his rule sliding into tyranny, Hermione’s calm submission to her fate, certain that the truth will be revealed and absolve her of any wrongdoing, and Paulina’s role as the lone voice of reason, calling […]
Ian McKellen as Leontes Picture source Scene i consists of two nobles, one each from Bohemia (Archidamus) and Sicilia (Camillo), providing the foreground of where the action currently lies. The long-standing friendship of their two kings, dating back to their childhood, is established as well as the young prince Mamillius’ promise as heir to the […]
John Gielgud as Leontes Picture source Text of the play The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (MIT) Project Gutenberg MaximumEdge.com has a useful search feature Links about the play Wikipedia’s entry on the play “Retelling the Tale” by Gideon Lester at the American Repertory Theatre site—a performance history Notes on the […]