The Winter's Tale in performance

During five acting workshops, we will focus mainly on the first three acts of the play, set in the court of Leontes, King of Sicilia. It is his paranoid jealousy which drives the action of the piece. Unlike Othello, manipulated by Iago, Leontes' sudden suspicions of Hermione’s fidelity arise from his own imagination, unsupported by any evidence of adultery between his Queen and his old boyhood friend, Polixenes, King of Bohemia. This is a late play, full of complex language and imagery which we will explore in detail. Finally, there is reconciliation between Leontes and Hermione and we will look at the theatricality of Act Five, Scene Three which ends this strange, beautiful and disturbing play. Students should read the play beforehand and be willing to read aloud with fluency, clarity and energy. 

Each class will begin with a brief vocal and physical warm-up and for this group activity we will use Leontes' speech form Act One, Scene Two, lines 86-207. 

Bring some familiarity with this speech to class. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The choices made by the actor are guided by Shakespeare and “letting the words do the work" is the approach throughout the course.  

Please do not bring laptops to this class but do bring your own copy of the play to each workshop, including the first one.