This production of The Winter’s Tale at the renovated Colwell Playhouse brings a unique perspective to one of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic works. Directed by Bill Kincaid, it embraces the play’s dual tones without attempting resolution, instead celebrating its transformative theatricality. The transition between Sicilia and Bohemia, while occasionally lacking narrative momentum, captures the emotional depth of this late romance. The text offers a slower form of pleasure, acknowledging brokenness and striving for restoration.
The set design by Avery Tăng and lighting by Robbie Kaylor create distinct atmospheres for each setting, enhancing the emotional shifts subtly. Costume designer Nicolás Dudit provides vibrant, expressive attire that animates characters with dynamic movement, balancing style and substance. Performances range from the commanding presence of Shannon Donovan as Hermione to the playful wit of Harrison Brown as Autolycus, offering a rich tapestry of emotions.
Exploring Emotional Depth Through Performance
In the frosty court of Sicilia, Ernest Emmanuel Peeples portrays Leontes with vocal power and physical command, though his rapid descent into jealousy risks compressing the emotional arc. Conversely, Shannon Donovan’s Hermione serves as the production’s steady center, her bewilderment and stillness conveying volumes. Her reappearance in the final act embodies forgiveness rather than mere resurrection.
Peeples’ portrayal of Leontes highlights the fragility of trust and the destructive nature of unchecked suspicion. His swift transformation challenges the audience to engage deeply with his inner turmoil, despite the limited time for psychological exploration. In contrast, Donovan’s Hermione radiates quiet strength throughout her ordeal, particularly in the trial scene where her composure speaks louder than words. Her return as an almost divine figure in the final act transcends traditional notions of resurrection, embodying a profound sense of forgiveness and renewal. This duality between chaos and calm anchors the play emotionally, guiding the audience through its complex themes.
Crafting Atmosphere Through Design and Direction
The minimalist yet evocative set design by Avery Tăng contrasts sharply with the lush costumes by Nicolás Dudit, creating a striking visual interplay between settings. Lighting by Robbie Kaylor gently transitions from icy hues in Sicilia to warm, awakening colors in Bohemia, allowing the emotional shift to unfold naturally without overwhelming the senses.
Tăng’s set design acts as a subtle provocation, eschewing illustrative elements for stark, suggestive spaces that invite interpretation. In Sicilia, angular, cold environments mirror the frozen hearts of its inhabitants, while Bohemia’s softly lit, colorful world suggests rebirth and renewal. Kaylor’s lighting achieves this transformation gradually, using gentle glows rather than harsh contrasts to shift the mood. Similarly, Jaritt Catellier’s sound design punctuates these transitions with delicate precision. Meanwhile, Dudit’s costumes bring vibrancy and life to the stage, their flowing fabrics moving expressively alongside the actors. These elements combine under Kincaid’s measured direction to craft a production that revels in its tonal ambiguity, making The Winter’s Tale both a challenge and a joy to experience. The final tableau, though potentially meandering, delivers a poignant conclusion that feels earned, reinforcing the themes of faith, love, and hope amidst devastation.