REVIEW: The Winter's Tale at Square Tower, Portsmouth

The Winter's Tale is one of Shakespeare's lesser-known plays and, as such, the cast are under no pressure to do anything other than tell the story.
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And The Southsea Shakespeare Actors did just that – with style, creativity, clarity and warmth.

Director Nick Downes had assembled a mighty cast. Andy Thomas and Rob Bartlett as Leontes and Polixenes – kings and friends who fall out in no uncertain terms – are the foundations upon which the plot is built. Thomas conveyed the agonies of jealousy with studied excellence and Bartlett’s betrayed friendship matured credibly into bitterness and anger.

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The women, here, came off particularly well. Susie Coutts as the wronged Hermione and Sarah Parnell as the faithful Paulina gave astonishing, controlled performances of strength and integrity – but they had best watch out for up-and-coming Lara Cooper-Chadwick (Perdita) whose performance had gravitas, truth and subtlety far beyond her years.

Tim Suffolk and Aaron Holdaway made the notoriously difficult Shakespearean comic roles funny – always worthy of praise! – but the crowning glory of the piece, thanks to inspired direction, was the almost-wordless reconciliation between friends and family at the end of the play.

Beautiful, touching and just plain wonderful the whole thing was just a joy.

JAMES GEORGE

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