The Winter's Tale

The annual Shakespeare production presented by EODS in the Italian Gardens Eastbourne is always an event not to be missed and this year’s offering was no exception.  Unfortunately, rain stopped play on the opening night but I was lucky enough to choose a fine evening – no wind, no rain. Although the audience are in a covered area, the players would find it very difficult to perform on wet grass with rain pouring down.

Probably like many others, The Winter’s Tale is not one of Shakespeare’s plays that I am familiar with but I now feel thoroughly educated and entertained by this production.  The only line that comes to mind with most people is “exit, pursued by a bear”.  But more of that later!

When we entered the auditorium, we were treated to the well designed backdrop depicting winter on one side and summer on the other – the first act taking place in winter which certainly included some tragic and dark moments.  The second act took on quite another vista, now being summer – the mood was lighter with plenty of comedy and the all important reconciliations at the end.

“Time” was played by two actors – Seth Ringrose and Jill Kenton  who, very appropriately costumed, were the story tellers in excellent form.

This tale runs along the lines of two Kings (the King of Sicilia and the King of Bohemia) who had been childhood friends but are now very much estranged as Leontes is accusing Polixenes (wrongfully)  of having an affair with his Queen.  Neil Russell and Peter Fishwick gave outstanding performances as  Leontes and  Polixenes, as did Becky Robinson as Queen Hermione.  Annie Bennett played Paulina, a good friend to the Queen and was excellent in this role.  When a daughter is born to Hermione, the little babe is declared a bastard and is found by Mother Shepherdess (Jane Tingley) and her daughter  - Young Shepherdess (Heather Tingley) – an excellent pairing. 

Sixteen years later we are in the land of Bohemia and we meet the charming Perdita – played by Melody Bertucci,  the rightful daughter of Leontes and Hermione.  She and the handsome Florizel  (Calum Avery) - son of King Polixenes - are betrothed at the annual sheep festival where much fun takes place.   Autolycus is always described as Autolycus, a rogue but in this production the talented Claire Robinson gave us many laughs as Autolyca, a female rogue and rogue she certainly was and obviously enjoying it!  She was so well cast.  The bear must have a mention – played robustly by Ashley Jones, chasing everyone in sight and dancing well and I do believe that he was actually chased off by everyone else at the end of his cavortings!  The use of music by Annie Lennox and The Eurythmics added so well to the atmosphere.  Heather Tingley looked after the choreography which was a joy to watch.

This piece is definitely a fantasy fairytale, including the sadness of Queen Hermione and her son Prince Mamillius, played by Sean Wilson, who meet their death and return as statues and then miraculously come to life with many other happenings that lead to a happy ending.

So good to see new young people in the cast and to hear that regular Shakespeare evenings are taking place within the Society to promote that acting in one of the Bard’s plays can not only be worthwhile but can also be fun!

The work that goes on to present an outdoor production such as this must be endless and all are to be congratulated, whether on stage or behind the scenes, such as costumes, makeup, stage sets, seating etc and the mammoth  job of getting everything down  to the Italian gardens and taking it back again!) – no mean feat and not forgetting the always appreciated refreshment tent!  Many thanks to Director Peter Boon and Assistant Director Nick Reynolds for their expertise and hard work in making this production come alive in such a lovely setting.

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