“A brilliant, thought provoking approach to The Winter’s Tale”
Walking into the Royal Shakespeare Theatre always carries a sense of timeless magic. Knowing Yaël Farber is making her RSC debut adds another layer of excitement. And what a debut it is. This production of The Winter’s Tale is a stirring, beautifully executed piece of theatre.
Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale is a play of extremes – of jealousy and joy, destruction and renewal, tragedy and hope. The play follows the story of Leontes, King of Sicilia, falling to jealousy and envy. His childhood friend, Polixenes, King of Bohemia, has been visiting for nine months and despite Leontes attempts to stop him, he plans to leave for Bohemia. On his departure, Leontes asks his pregnant wife, Hermione, to convince Polixenes to stay and he does. Leontes then spirals into a breakdown fused by jealousy and bitterness, accusing his beloved wife of adultery and plotting to murder Polixenes. What follows is a devastating series of events – betrayal, exile, death, and loss – that ultimately transforms into a tale of forgiveness, rebirth, and grace.
This is one of Shakespeare’s most unusual and compelling plays. Farber embraces all its contradictions and leans into its emotional intensity, drawing out the timeless human struggles at its heart: the damage wrought by unchecked power, the resilience of love and the redemptive potential of time.
There is a great strength across the cast who grip hold of the audience for nearly three hours. The portrayal of Autolycus by Trevor Fox is superb. You would not know he stepped into the role last minute. He commands the stage and grasps your attention, embodying the mystery of the play in himself. Bertie Carvel gives a gripping portrayal of Leontes, capturing the fragility beneath the madness. Madeline Appiah shines as Hermione, bringing both dignity and fierce inner strength to the role. Her courtroom scene is particularly powerful. Aïcha Kossoko commands the stage as Paulina. Her performance is electric. John Light is a compelling Polixenes throughout, while the young lovers, Lewis Bowes as Florizel and Leah Haile as Perdita, bring freshness and youthful intensity to the second act.
Soutra Gilmour’s set design is elemental and evocative – earth, water, fire, and air are ever-present. The stage is surrounded by a shallow moat of water, creating a sense of reflection. Fire ignites the celebrations and wind sweeps through transitions like time itself. Towering over it all is a vast, luminous moon, a silent witness to the unfolding drama on Earth. It is a haunting and poetic backdrop that beautifully complements the play’s themes.
The soundscape is brilliant. Music underscores the production with a haunting elegance – the low, pulsing bass threads through the tense scenes, creating an undercurrent of unease. The inclusion of musicians on stage during the second act is a great choice and brings the Bohemian World to life. There is a thoughtful use of sound that enriches the emotional landscape of the play.
This Winter’s Tale is a triumph – a bold production that embraces the play’s contradictions and finds truth in its magic. You may leave wondering exactly what happened in the end and perhaps, already planning your return. The Winter’s Tale runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 30 August. Tickets are available here.