The Winter’s Tale – Shakespeare’s Globe

Imagine that you go to see a play, and someone tells you everything that is going to happen next, but it is so amazing that it’s hard to believe. That’s when one knows the experience one is about to go through is unique.

Marking the opening of the Globe’s Folio 400th celebrations, The Winter’s Tale, directed by Sean Holmes, takes us to a trip between the intimate and oppressive setting of Sicilia, staged in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, and the open-air colorful and mostly vivid lands of Bohemia, staged in the Globe Theatre. The original five acts of the play are then organized in three acts, and the audience is led from the first hall to the second and then back inside again.

As it is customary in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the empty stage greets us with the warm light of many candles. The audience was noticeably enthusiastic, being extremely talkative and loud before the beginning of each act. But the silent magical appearance of the actors on stage mesmerized everyone and summoned a silence full of expectations.

With a very powerful main cast, next to the physicality explored by Sergo Vares in his portrayal of Leontes, who builds up to an amazing tyrant, yet not equally powerful in his gloom when faced with the truth, we find a Hermione, played by Bea Segura, who starts in a much softer representation, becoming later on during her defense allegations a raging ball of despair, who moved the entire hall to a sigh of sympathy. Opposed to Leontes, we find an incredible Polixenes, played by John Lightbody, with a swag and style that almost justifies Leontes unreasonable jealousy. Camillo, portrayed by Beruce Khan, with its coming and going from tragedy to comedy, and Paulina, played by Nadine Higgin, with her reckless and relentless assault on Leontes power, are very strong presences. The lovers Florizel, played by Sarah Slimani, and Perdita, by Jacoba Williams, share a beautiful connection, although their decision to run away doesn’t seem entirely justified in their portrayal of the characters. Special mentions to Colm Gormley in his portrayal of Antigonus and the Old Shepherd, Samuel Creasey as the young Shepherd, and Toby Barnett-Jones as a very charming Mamillius.

In the second act, in the Globe Theatre, we find ourselves with what feels like a different world. A much bigger number of performers, including the musical duet of Laura Moody and Richard Jones, that together with the exhilarating Autolycus played by Ed Gaughan, take the stage, and drive the audience mad with their songs. Furthermore, arguably most interesting part of the play: the group of Soldiers’ Arts Academy Theatre, who bring such unfiltered freshness and innocence to their performance of the group of Shepherds and in the Sheep Shearing fest.

Expectations regarding the future of the characters are defeated and surprise lurks around every interaction, even knowing the plot beforehand. The sadistic way in which things to be getting better, only to get worse again, is reinforced by the beautiful visuals in the second act, and in the same way, the oppression that can be felt in the air in the first and third acts is nothing but perfectly suited for the umbrous and vision-like sight of the stage.

Although the performance of the main cast didn’t always seem to reach its highest peak or most profound depths, the path from beginning to end is very interesting. As high as the anticipation can be when visiting this mythical theatre and watching such a complex play, being part of this performance is a very wholesome experience.

Playing until 16th April, https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/the-winters-tale-2022/

Reviewer: Gonzalo Sentana

Reviewed: 22nd February 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★