Brilliant Performances but Unsatisfactory Conclusion

Reviewed by Mary Alderson

The Winter’s Tale, on stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre at the Stratford Festival, is a fascinating study of paranoia and mental illness which leads to a horrible situation. Then suddenly as the play draws to a pleasant close, all is well – cured, loved, and forgiven. While it is expertly directed and brilliantly performed, it is the abrupt shift in the end that leaves me cold.

Leontes, King of Sicily (Graham Abbey) is hosting his long-time friend Polixenes, the King of Bohemia (André Sills) and asks him to extend his visit. Polixenes declines. But when Queen Hermione (Sara Topham) invites him to stay longer, he agrees.

Immediately Leontes becomes suspicious of the two of them. He accuses his wife of being unfaithful, for no apparent reason. His jealousy and paranoia take control him. Hermione is pregnant, and Leontes decides the baby is not his; it must the child of his friend Polixenes. The King orders his Ambassador, Camillo (Tom Rooney) to get rid of Polixenes, but instead Camillo lets him flee. Then the King puts his wife in prison, where she gives birth to a baby girl. Their son, the darling little prince Mamillius, (played by Philip Myers and George Robinet in alternate performances) dies while his mother is in prison, and she in turn dies of sorrow. Leontes orders the baby be taken away and abandoned.

After intermission, the story fast-forwards 16 years, and Time (Lucy Peacock) appears in the form of an angel with white feathered wings. A lowly shepherd’s adopted daughter, Perdita (Marissa Orjalo) and Florizel (Austin Eckert), son of King Polixenes want to marry. There are concerns that she is not a suitable bride, but Florizel persists. In the meantime, with everyone he loves dead or gone, Leontes realizes the error of his ways. Eventually they figure out that Perdita is the daughter of Hermione and Leontes, making her suitable for Florizel and the wedding is celebrated. A statue of Hermione comes to life, then she forgives Leontes and they renew their relationship.

Director Antoni Cimolino has gathered Stratford’s corps d’elite in the cast, and a large cast at that – enough to fill the long, thrust stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre. Graham Abbey is excellent as the unwell Leontes. His paranoia and mental illness came in subtle waves; he didn’t have to exaggerate it. Sara Topham gives us a lovely Hermione, puzzled by her husband’s accusations. André Sills starts as a very dignified King Polixenes, but then provides some humour as a disguised spy, as does his sidekick in disguise, Tom Rooney as Camillo. Lucy Peacock is an ethereal angel as Time. Tom McCamus creates some fun as a slightly befuddled Old Shepherd, along with Christo Graham as his overly exuberant son. Geraint Wyn Davies has a great clown-like role as the hilarious swindler Autolycus.

The Winter’s Tale is an interesting story; one you don’t study in school or see performed often. This production is designed to take the audience into the depths of the King’s paranoia, but after intermission, lighten the mood. However, if Shakespeare was here, I’d tell him it was just too unbelievable. How can Leontes be forgiven? He jailed his wife and left her to die there, let their adorable young son die, and banished their baby girl to be abandoned in another country. If he is, indeed, suffering from mental illness and he acknowledges that, seeks help, and finds medication, then we can forgive him. We will just have to believe that Shakespeare was ahead of his time, finding a means to improve mental health.

The Winter’s Tale continues in repertory until September 27 at Tom Patterson Theatre, Stratford. Tickets are available at the Stratford Festival by calling 1-800-567-1600 or online at www.stratfordfestival.ca

Photo: André Sills as Polixenes (front-left), Sara Topham as Hermione (front-right) and Graham Abbey as Leontes (far right) with members of the company in The Winter’s Tale, Stratford Festival 2025. Photo by David Hou.

The Winter’s Tale
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Antoni Cimolino
Original Music by Wayne Kelso
Performed by Graham Abbey, Yanna McIntosh, Sara Topham, Austin Eckert, Tom McCamus, Marissa Orjalo, Tom Rooney, André Sills, Geraint Wyn Davies, et al
Tom Patterson Theatre, Stratford
Stratford Festival
May 7 to October 27, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson