Review - The Winter's Tale, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
Lucy Bailey's assured and hugely enjoyable production is big, noisy and at times hilarious but, above all, it's excellent value for money.
You don't only get a three-hour play polished to perfection with all the cast members acting their socks off. You get some fabulous music, some great dancing (there's even a Morris dance) and one of the most spectacular special effects I've seen for a long time, a 20ft high cylinder rising from the stage like a great gasometer.
Jo Stone-Fewings is Leontes, the king who becomes insanely convinced his wife is unfaithful. His descent into madness is shocking and convincing and the shattering moment when he punches his pregnant queen Hermione (Tara Fitzgerald) in the stomach made the audience gasp.
There's a fabulous performance from Rakie Ayola as Paulina, the ferocious court lady prepared to stand by her queen even if it means her own death, and terrifying every man in the process. Full marks, too, for young Emma Noakes as the abandoned Perdita, a feisty foundling who dares to fall in love with a prince.
It's a cracking show and the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for beginners. It runs at Stratford until February 23 and then goes on tour. Catch it if you can.
By Peter Rhodes
