The Winters Tale (Cheek by Jowl)

I am gutted to be missing it. I was all set to be reviewing it on Tuesday - when the Oxford Playhouse suddenly cut their review ticket allocation.

Really frustrating - as they are a great, great company

Why not buy a ticket then ?

It's not THAT dear

Or you have to choose more carefully what you see

Some doctors do seem to have difficulty relating to normal people's situation. For a period, I had incidences of blood vessels bursting inside my finger pads, and the doctor's first question was to ask how it affected me when I went skiing.

Well it took 8 years, but here's a production that has overtaken David Farr's production to become my favourite Winter's Tale

Declan Donnellan keeps the play's magical moments the book ends of the acts and really focuses on the family dramas in both acts

I find Leontes an interesting character to watch, just to see how believable an actor can make his growing jealousy that he would condemn his wife against the will of the gods and risk loosing his children. Greg Hicks for one has an intensity to his voice that made his Leontes so scary to watch, without resorting to bouts of rage like Kenneth Branagh or John Light.

Orlando James got it right for me. He slowly turns from this normal guy into a raving maniac. Perhaps a tad over-the-top by the trial scene but the build up was just perfect, just seeing his bright happy face gradually twist with envy. He also has the advantage of the open stage as he paces back and forth.

I liked how Mamillius is portrayed as autistic, throwing tantrums to be left with his mother. It sheds light on how Leontes thinks that the boy is not his.

The trial is at times gripping thanks to him and Natalie Radmall-Quirke as Hermione. She comes on bewildered and shaken, but again and again she can see Leontes fighting with his jealousy and despite her anger she clings to him trying to bring him back to his senses. All in vain when he decides to gamble against the gods

It's scenes like this that made the first act a domestic tragedy, and Leontes as close a tragic character as you can get as he is left writhing with grief on the floor.

I also like the focus on the familial hardships briefly mentioned in the Bohemia scenes. Especially the shepherd's loss of his wife, which is softly but beautifully told by Peter Moreton

Even this focus on domestic hardships is brought into the comedy with Autolycus turning the argument between Mopsa and Dorcas into the Jeremy Kyle show.

The comedy can be jarring, which is inevitable given how much the tone switches between the 2 acts but it is handled well. Ryan Donaldson is engaging as Autolycus, providing stand up comedy, folk music and even acts as airport security man instead of a nobleman to confound the shepherds

The ending however is perfect. The tone is subdued and there is no contrived happy ending. There is some sense of a reunion but nothing can erase the past.

Do go and see this if you can

I've booked to see this at the Barbican, chiefly because I've liked Orlando James in other work, so I'm happy to read such positive feedback.

I've come to this play quite late, so have only seen the Branagh production (which I was disappointed with overall, despite a shirtless Tom Bateman) and the SWP version last year which I adored.

Saw this last night, it was outstanding.

Orlando James was completely believable as Leontes, a ruler whose court have learnt to tread carefully around his outbursts. Poor Hermione; having both Leontes and Mamillous constantly pawing at her for attention must have been exhausting. I'd have feigned death as well.

Also a genuinely funny Autolycus, a winsome but not wet Perdita and a Florizel that took off his shirt 👍.

Paulina is a peach of a role - have never been disappointed with any Paulinas I've seen. Joy Richardson gave her a slightly snarky edge.

So pleased I can see it again on the livestream.