.jpg)
Michael Cox reviews 'a commendable production' that is currently being screened throughout Britain.
There is much to be thankful for in regards to the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s broadcast recording of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, currently making the rounds in theatres and cinemas throughout Britain. It's a rather good play that rarely gets performed, and to see it given such a lush production with a cast of this calibre is a luxury usually reserved for major cities only. For this London production to be accessible to the world is indeed a treat.
Perhaps most famous for its stage direction ‘Exeunt, pursued by bear’ which marks the demise of a character, the play is quite a psychologically rich tale of two halves. The first part charts the downfall of Leontes, a king who becomes convinced his wife, Hermoine, has been unfaithful with his best friend—Polixenes, the King of Bohemia. His blind, unfounded jealousy tears his family and the royal court to shreds. The second half, which takes place sixteen years later, is much lighter in tone with comedic characters and the promise of redemption and reconciliation.
Branagh is terrific, not only as director (with Rob Ashford) but as Leontes. Textually, Leontes’ jealousy seems to come from nowhere, yet Branagh gives his downward spiral a logical through-line that appears completely plausible, if not tragic. The majority of the acting company are excellent, including John Shrapnel’s political servant Camillo, Jimmy Yuill and Jack Colgrave Hirst as the Shepard and the Clown and Tom Bateman and Jessie Buckley as lovers Florizel and Perdita.
Sadly, Miranda Raison’s Hermione is the one flat note of the production. She’s fine in her presence and line delivery, but her key scenes lack emotional punch, stalling some of the production’s major moments. However, countering this is the production’s best performer: Judy Dench. Her Paulina is an emotional powerhouse, and though structurally she’s a supporting character she commands the stage whenever she’s on, bringing with her both spark and dignity.
As for the cinematic treatment of a live performance, the camera work is mostly effective. There are enough close-ups and swoops over the stage to not make everything feel stationary, and yet the camera usually captures the large company at work, meaning audiences watching this are not missing out on most of the theatrical action.
Perhaps some moments don’t quite jump out from the screen as effectively as they would have live (particularly the sheep-sheering festival and, perhaps, Ms Raison’s understated performance), but any opportunity to see a commendable production of this magnitude should be embraced.
The Winter’s Tale is being screened throughout Scotland. Check local listings for potential locations, dates and times.
RSS