The Winter's Tale

"(...)A multinational cast brings this fable to life in a style that we hope would have satisfied the groundlings at the Globe Theatre. You'll boo and hiss the deluded Sicilian King Leontes (unless you think maybe he's right!), you'll swoon for the blameless Queen Hermione (if you think she really is blameless!), you'll cheer the dashing King Polixenes of Bohemia, played by a real Bohemian - well from a country that is quite close to where Bohemia used to be anyway (unless you find all that cutesy, touchy-feely stuff he does with Hermione a bit creepy), you'll sympathise with Camillo, the poor put-upon court adviser who has to flee his country (unless you think it's a bit weird the way he keeps going on about how he loves kings), you'll weep for the senseless loss of life and the incredible gullibility of the Bohemian peasants, you'll cower as Paulina, the court feminist fighting for justice threatens to scratch people's eyes out, your heart will go out to the sweet young shepherdess so lost in love to a handsome young prince (or is she just a gold-digger?), you'll gasp when a mysterious, lifelike statue actually COMES TO LIFE! (unless you'd already worked out it wasn't a statue in the first place!).

Yes, it's got all the usual Shakespeare stuff, clever word-smithing, rhyming couplets, stupid jokes, laughably unconvincing disguises that a four-year-old child could see through, gratuitous raunchiness, and a bear! All-in-all a rollicking good night out (provided you suspend your disbelief) - book your seat now."

Extrait du résumé de la pièce présent sur le site de la compagnie

Représentation du 5 octobre, 20h.

www.linetheatre.com

"What a wonderful night ! I assisted the premiere of The Winter's Tale by the Line Theater. The theatre was full. The atmospher cosy and warm, the audience relaxed. We were welcomed by the sound of the lute in the corner of the stage, which immersed us in the play.

La première partie de la pièce est lancée. Tragique et belle, les acteurs déroulent, nous invitent et nous prennent à témoin du drame qui se joue. on assiste consternés à la folie grandissante d'un Leontes tyrannique et touchant. Seul bémol, la voix de certains acteurs qui ne porte pas suffisamment!

Interval.

And... Let the show begin! The amazing entrance of Keith Farquhar, alias Autolycus. The comedy starts with rock and glitter (and a surprising denim jacket). Creating a delicious contrast with the luth and the atmosphere of the first part. The delicate Hermione who turned herself into the famous bear who pursue Antigonus, makes us smile. We also enjoy the old shepherd (Ian Lamb) and his son Felix Laube) thoroughly.
On a le coeur tendu jusqu'à l'entracte, on repart le coeur léger d'une deuxième partie particulièrement réussie, drôle, et touchante, tant dans la mise en scène que dans le jeu des acteurs. (on salue également la jolie performance de Paulina, Jolanda Mpelé).

En résumé, une très belle représentation, qui donne envie de relire la pièce pour se remémorer cette belle soirée."

Anastasia JACOB

*Lorsqu'on a parlé de la pièce en classe, certains élèves étaient déçus, est-ce qu'ils pourraient nous envoyer leur critique?