John Peter
3 Stars
Like all of Shakespeare's later plays, this is a realistic fairy tale, and Simon Godwin's modern-dress production (with the Headlong theatre company) catches both its edgy magic and its fierce moral drive. King Leontes (Vince Leigh) and his guests are having some after-dinner champagne, which is beginning gently to have its effect: the king's outburst of jealousy is caused by a tyrannical temperament let loose by sweet alcohol. The point Leigh makes here is that once you poison yourself, you become your own prisoner. The Bohemian scenes need more attention: the cosy home counties atmosphere is a tad too smug to carry the weight of Shakespeare's argument about nature and nurture. Bryony Hannah is a sweet little shepherdess, but she needs to work on Perdita's regal bearing, on which everybody comments. You may not like the idea that royal blood will show, whoever brings you up, but Shakespeare probably wanted you to think about it. One complaint: no bear to pursue anyone.