The Winter's Tale review - Seattle Shakespeare Company 2016

The tone of Winter's Tale shifts so drastically from beginning to end, you'd be forgiven for remembering this one as two different plays. But SSC has staged a highly enjoyable unified vision. With magical touches echoing Midsummer Night's Dream but not quite as tightly woven, this lesser-known play is nonetheless filled with striking female leads, beautiful imagery and characters you should get to know; SSC is supremely skilled at introducing them whether you know them or not.



The production design does a nice job of making the second half feel like a natural growth of the first half, sometimes literally - creating visual and audible relief for the harsh dramatic tension. The actors are nimble and natural with the script. King Leontes (Darragh Kennan), given the difficult task of going mad with jealousy, is touching in portraying his weakness. Paulina, the powerful elder, should be canonized among strong female leads taught far and wide; here Amy Thone gives her performance thunder and lightning fitting a play inspired by the Greeks but given dimension by the humane wit of the Bard. The lovers and comic relief come in after intermission as marvelously as a playful summer breeze chases away a morning storm.

I was especially delighted to be re-introduced to Autolycus the thief by MJ Sieber recalling modern comedians like Seth Rogan or Zach Galifianakis. I've never before been struck with laughter thinking how at home this character would be side-by-side with Bruce Campbell's campy Autolycus from Xena: Warrior Princess. I think that's a high compliment.

Part of SSC's traveling "Wooden O" series, you can catch shows like this one all over the Seattle area, and it's well worth it.