Clever staging in Kenilworth group’s Shakespearean debut

THE Winter’s Tale is a timeless story of jealousy and intrigue - and this production is hugely enjoyable.

King Leontes of Sicilia (Andrew Woolley), gripped by the notion that his wife Hermione (Sarah Campbell) is carrying the child of his friend and guest King Polixenes of Bohemia (Tim Highes). Leontes forces chief adviser Camillo to kill Polixines but the plot is revealed and they flee. Meanwhile things go badly for Hermione, who gives birth to a daughter Perdita whom the King banishes to certain death. The King’s young son dies as, apparently, does Hermione. Leontes appeals to Apollo’s Oracle, who declares Hermione blameless.

Fifteen years on, in Bohemia, the beautiful Perdita (Marian Braddish), adopted by a humble Shepherd and his family, is courted by Polixines’ son, Florizel (Ben Wellicome). Polixines finds out and pursues the couple back to Sicilia where the truth about Perdita’s birth comes out – and Leontes is delighted to learn that Hermione hasn’t died at all.

A chief agent is Paulina (Juliet Grundy – wow!), wife to Antigonus, the poor man charged to take the baby to certain death but who dies himself in the jaws of a hungry bear. The famous ‘exit pursued by a bear’ is beautifully handled by a roar and blood red lighting effects (no bear behinds).

The comedy sections are a brilliant contrast to the dark meat of the matter – particularly the light-fingered Autocylus (Julian Small).

There’s a special word for the floor – someone very clever worked out that the trompe l’oeill effect would give the stage additional depth.

All in all, this production is clever, elegant and enthralling.

Jane Howard