By John Hannam
If only Simon Godwin and Headlong had been around when I was growing up. My generation was often frightened off by long, laborious and unimaginative productions of Shakespeare. Fifty years later I walked away from the current Winter's Tale, at the Nuffield, Southampton, excited at having witnessed such a magnificent evening's entertainment. Shakespeare in slick tailored suits and modern dresses is a revelation.
The company of nine, who share 19 characters, are brilliant and a great credit to Simon Godwin who directs this stunning production with innovation, flair and a modernistic approach. The audience is taken through so many emotions and none more diverse than the electrifying fight scene between Paulina (Golda Rosheuvel) and Leontes (Vince Leigh).
There is not a weakness in the cast. John Hodgkinson comes close to stealing the show as Antigonus and, in particular, Autolycus, a lovable rogue. Rosheuvel excels as Paulina, Time and the Old Shepherdess. The three principal characters are superbly portrayed by James Buller (Polixenes), Leigh (Leontes) and Amanda Ryan (Hermione). Matthew Douglas is a joy as Camillo, particularly in his disguise scene, and Gwynfor Jones and Ferdinand Kingsley also both make their mark.
An inspirational production which should delight all those who see it - hopefully, including the Shakespeare traditionalists. Fifty years on, I was still looking at my watch but on this occasion with the hope of it going slower instead of faster.