Trinity’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ Confusing, Well-Designed

PROVIDENCE, RI —Despite the efforts of an exceptionally talented group of performers, Trinity Repretory Comany’s adaptation of  “The Winter’s Tale” is unable to overcome confusing and incoherent writing.

While Trinity has produced plenty of first-rate Shakespeare in the past, such as “Julius Caesar,” “Macbeth,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” this version of ‘The Winter’s Tale” is unable to overcome the weakness of the writing.  

Stephen Thorne plays King Leontes, the ruler of Sicilia, who goes berserk with rage after suspecting his wife Hermione (Rachael Warren) of having an affair with his friend Polixenes (Omar Robinson).                                

Leontes orders his cupbearer Camillo (Mauro Hantman) to poison Polixenes. When Camillo refuses, Leontes banishes him from the country.

Leontes imprisons the pregnant Hermione, who gives birth to a baby girl. 

Despite the efforts of Paulina (Rebecca Gibel), Hermione’s friend, to convince Leontes the baby is his own, he orders the child to be killed.

Leontes accuses Hermione of high treason and puts her on trial. Hermione proclaims her innocence. Leontes refuses to listen to his wife.

When she is found not guilty, Leontes freaks out and throws a tantrum. His son Mamillius (Jessie March) dies. Hermione collapses and is taken away. The baby, Perdita, is then placed in a basket and whisked away.

The story then jumps ahead 16 years. We are now in Bohemia, ruled over by Polixenes. Perdita (an exuberant Jessie March) has become a shepherdess and is in love with Florizel (Abram Blau), the son of Polixenes. (Major spoilers are coming up, so be warned.)

It turns out Hermione has been a statue for 16 years. By some miracle, she becomes a person again. Leontes is overjoyed and they reconcile. He also expresses love for his daughter Perdita and they all live happily ever after. 

Let’s start with the positives. The performances, lighting, costumes, and sound design are all excellent. 

Thorne and Warren, longtime Trinity Rep. company members, clearly put their hearts and souls into their characters. It’s the writing which lets them down.

Gibel is riveting as Paulina, whose loyalty to Hermione is displayed when she lashes out at Leontes for his cruelty. Gibel also shines as the thief Autolycus. Wearing a fisherman’s jacket and sporting a beard, Gibel is a pure delight and proves to be a skilled comedian. 

Director Ben Steinfeld, who appeared in “Angels in America” at the Gamm last year, maintains a crisp sense of pacing. The action is imaginatively staged.

What weighs “The Winter’s Tale” down is its schizoid nature. The first half is overwrought melodrama. There’s a real sense of tedium watching Leontes create misery for everyone in his life. He yells and screams like a tyrant. His antics are so over the top that they verge on parody.

The tone of the show changes to a zany comedy for the second half. This is an improvement because at least the actors can let loose and have fun. 

The ending does not work at all. Shakespeare gives Leontes a shot at redemption by having him embrace his family after years of being alone. 

Hermione existing as a statue is unbelievably absurd. This would be considered too far-fetched for a daytime soap opera, so why should we accept it here?

The fact that Hermione forgives Leontes for his abominable behavior and takes him back rings completely false. Did she develop amnesia when she was encased in marble? Leontes’ lunacy caused the death of their son.  

And Perdita runs into her father’s loving arms after being orphaned for her entire life? What planet are these people living on?

When you think about it, Leontes gets a happy ending he doesn’t really deserve. It’s completely nonsensical and left me feeling frustrated.

Still, the show will please fans of Shakespeare, even if this is one of his lesser works. 

The Winter’s Tale runs through March 22. Trinity Repertory Company. 201 Washington St., Providence, RI. Runtime is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission. For tickets, call 401-351-4242 or visit www.trinityrep.com.