Production Archive

"It's like King Lear, only happier ... and more complete." First performed in 1611, The Winter's Tale is one of Shakespeare's later plays. Indeed, it seems to return to the themes of Lear - madness, revenge, love, betrayal, exile, and grief - but allows its protagonist to complete his journey. A short synopsis for the benefit of those - most of us? - who have neither read nor seen the original? A task beyond the ken of great men - after all, if Shakespeare had wanted to write brief plays he would have! Suffice it to say then that this will be a marvellous opportunity for us all to put that omission to rights as we revel in this tale of love, jealousy and hate, of mistaken assumptions that result in abandonment. Not to mention the most famous stage direction in the Shakespearean canon: "Exit, pursued by Bear!" And don't worry, The Winter's Tale may start out all doom and gloom - or should that be fire and brimstone - but, as in life, the bad times are only short lived; viva la vie Boheme!