The Winters Tale
From 9 June 2003
To 14 June 2003
by William Shakespeare
Description
By popular demand, the Nonentities are very pleased to present its first Shakespeare play for several years. The Winter's Tale has been suggested by members of the society for many years as with both strong dramatic scenes and lighter comic interludes, the play has much to offer.
Leontes, King of Sicilia is convinced that his wife, Hermione has committed adultery with Polixenes, King of Bohemia and that her unborn child is not his own. Despite her innocent pleas and the sacred verdict from the Oracle, Leontes peruses his own beliefs and his new born child, Perdita is abandoned in the wilderness. Leontes then has to face the deaths of both his son and Hermione and belatedly he becomes convinced of Hermione's faithfulness.
Sixteen years later, Perdita, raised by shepherds in Bohemia is in love with Florizel, son to Polixenes. In contrast to her cold and formal heritage, Bohemia is an uninhibited celebration of music and festivities. Can the discovery of her true identity reunite the two estranged kingdoms and provide absolution for her tormented father?
The play is set in Sicilia and Bohemia in 1938 and 1954
Directors Notes
Winters Tale is a play full of contrasts. It spans a period of 16 years, during which we are presented with many opposites. Dark and light, summer and winter, life and death, youth and age are just some of them. We are shown how jealousy and suspicion lead to tragedy and through loyalty of trusted friends that which was lost is found.
The old ways give way to the new, and true love prevails.
When asked to direct this show I thought hard about how these could best be
presented to a modern audience, and I decided to set the play either side of
the second world war, the easier to contrast the action. I hope you enjoy this
slightly different interpretation of the play, and find it a fitting end to
the season.