“It’s a well-known fact that hard-hearted kings often melt in the face of
innocent babies”
The family-centric Unicorn Theatre invites us into a world of make-believe with
this production of Ignace Cornelissen’s A Winter’s Tale. Four actors are putting
on a playful performance of The Winter’s Tale but we see them slipping in and
out of their roles as they squabble about who gets the best parts, take time
out for sandwiches and get lost in the personas they are playing, whilst giving
us a condensed version of Shakespeare’s tale of a king whose jealousies of his
wife and best friend has far-reaching consequences. With crocodiles.
And playful is the word. The company of four relish the freedom they’re granted
here: Ben Caplan’s King Freddy (Leontes) is an amusingly disgruntled figure who
is the self-appointed leader of the group and Sam Swann’s King Tunde (Polixenes) an
appealingly chilled-out presence whose easy friendship with Ginny Holder’s
Queen Tamara (Hermione) provokes Freddy’s ire. Flemish Cornelissen doesn’t back away from the
darkness of the story in Bohemia either, though he tempers the sadder moments
with quick comic cuts – Holder bearing the brunt of the funniest one – always reminding
the audience that this is just a tale we’re watching.
The actors switch between roles effortlessly as we move to Sicily – which gives
Kae Alexander the later chance at a bigger part after she is sulkily relegated to
the initial role of gamekeeper – and the clear use of props by director Purni
Morell ensures a lack of confusion. There is a slight sense of unevenness from
the writing though. Cornelissen mostly drops the device of slipping out of
character for the latter half of the play, preferring to just run through the
lighter vibe of Sicily, all bubble-machines, hula-hoops and random
peg-involving party games. But he redeems himself with a powerfully unexpected
ending which works beautifully in terms of this piece of writing and the
ambience it has created, but also tear-jerkingly so in an entirely different
way for those who know Shakespeare’s play.
This performance was one of the Unicorn’s relaxed performances, for those who
benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere with regards to making noise, a vitally
important innovation from a theatre that is determined to ensure its provision
is accessible to the widest range of children possible. There was something
fascinating in witnessing the power of theatre in this way, seeing what was
proving most effective in grabbing and keeping their attention and the actors –
Swann in particular – should be commended for their sensitivity in incorporating
these reactions into the show.
James Button’s design makes a virtue out of simplicity, achieving much with
just a silken sheet which is atmospherically lit in uncomplicated colours by
David W Kidd and though it is aimed at 7-10 year olds, it has an openness and
warmth that merits the removal of the upper age limit. And though it takes
inspiration from, and the occasional liberty with, Shakespeare, there’s also
something touchingly persuasive here about the nature of playing with others.
Running time: 65 minutes (without interval)
Programme cost: free
Booking until 16th November
Labels: Ben Caplan, Ginny Holder, Ignace Cornelissen, Kae Alexander, Sam Swann