THE WINTER’S TALE (Sofa Shakespeare)*****

 

By Tommy

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zaTqbxPvVg

Available until: Unknow

Sofa Shakespeare is an online theatre company which produces fascinating and innovative productions involving anyone who wishes to be involved. Cast members are assigned a short section of the text and are then able to present it in whatever manner they wish. They can speak the lines as they would in a conventional production; they can use props and costumes; they can allow their pets and toys to ‘speak’ the lines – it seems there are no limitations, except, one would imagine, a few rules about common decency.

The result is an absolutely magical experience, full of talent and imagination. The Winter’s Tale seems particularly suited to Sofa Shakespeare because has moments of comedy, tragedy and just about everything in between.

It is, sadly, impossible to mention, or even to remember, every single performer in this magnificent production, but I will mention a few of those who made a particularly strong impression. However, I strongly believe that everyone will have their own favourites so my review isn’t intended in any way to give any more than some of my own personal highlights (which might be completely different if I watched it again).

I actually had to pause the video several times and rewind it and then call my daughter Lottie, who was entranced by all the scenes with ducks in, though I was sad to have to tell her that, no, Shakespeare does not have ducks in all his plays. The model ducks in the roles of Polixenes, Hermione and Leontes were very carefully and beautifully painted in a variety of colours and are already on my daughter’s Christmas list. Immediately afterwards, we saw a cuddly duck (my notes are rather incomprehensible at this point, but I believe this duck, too, might have been playing Polixenes). Another duck looked on as Paulina the fox and Leontes the stag conversed. A whole family of ducks appeared in Act 5, with Camillo looking particularly fine.

There are a number of other animals in this production. The live ones are mostly cats and dogs, but we also saw some guinea pigs, birds and even a flock of sheep. Two very handsome dogs give a fine performance of a scene between Leontes and Camillo. A cat has a particularly tragic look in their eye as Antigonus: perhaps they know what is to come. A canine Antigonus with a bear (I think not the infamous one) seems genuinely saddened by Leontes’ instructions regarding Perdita. A wonderfully dramatic cat played Autolycus, but there is a knowing look in the eyes of Clown: the cat actor clearly not as deceived as his character.

There are also many cuddly toys, puppets, dolls and Lego figures. One scene between Hermione and Polonius showed both characters as tortoises and I felt this was particularly appropriate in Hermione’s case. A tortoise carries his home on his back and Hermione metaphorically holds the home together. The infamous bear makes his famous exit delightfully, apparently aware that a whole flock of sheep is right behind him. Camillo, who could be considered to stick his neck out for Polixenes, appears as a giraffe.

Artists also play a role, producing beautiful drawings of the characters and their backgrounds, some realistic and some more imaginative, including one showing Leontes as a lion and Camillo as a camel. A very simple idea but extremely effective. There are some beautiful winter photographs, accompanying a recording of some of Leontes’ lines. The flickering candle is another very striking image.

There are a lot of very young Shakespearean actors, many delivering their lines with astonishing clarity. There is a lovely young Polixenes early in the play and a mischievous Mamillius who carefully considers Leontes’ request to go and play before complying. Another child listens, rapt, as their parents read part of Act 3.

There were also many talented adult humans, wearing wonderful costumes from a range of periods, some taking on several different roles in one scene. I believe Emily Carding holds the record with four roles, but my mathematical skills leave much to be desired and my recognition skills are also inclined to be rather dubious. Leontes’ speech about his growing jealousy is one I remember. Another Leontes displays his musical talents, singing his lines as he accompanies himself on instruments including the accordion and the glockenspiel. There is also a Leontes with what appears to be a saucepan on his head, though the cooking vessel is completely outshone by his talent. A Hermione gives a very touching protestation of her innocence.

There are also a couple of scenes on Zoom, which was lovely to see as Zoom has proved so exceptionally-well suited to the production of Shakespeare’s plays. All I know about TikTok is that I am, according to Imogen, much too old for it, but I do know enough to be happy to see Paulina and the Gaoler communicating via this medium. Text messages also play a role: as Florizel and Camillo read their lines (beautifully), a more modern equivalent appears on a smartphone screen.

There is an Emilia and Paulina who might have been actors once, but now looked like poor Yorick, alas. A pot of thyme with eyes is a particularly good moment and I also enjoyed Polixenes in his car and Clown’s trip to the supermarket

I enjoyed the whole play and it is thoroughly recommended.