Review: The Winter’s Tale at Tobacco Factory Theatres
There’s something for everyone in this Shakespeare play, staged by some of the finest cast and creatives in our region
Can you drop into a Shakespeare play you know nothing about, have never studied or even seen on screen and get-it as a piece of theatre? That’s what we did with The Winter’s Tale at Tobacco Factory Theatres. It tests how accessible Shakespeare really is to your average theater-goer.
And what of this bear? We’ve been informally calling the production Cocaine Bear since the theatre launched their Spring Season last year.
The Winter’s Tale is like William Shakespeare mashed up some of his best plays into a Greatest Hits. The result of that is a play that feels slightly uneven, almost jarring with its hugely contrasting dynamics.
Thankfully, director Heidi Vaughan gave the production focus, bringing us into the intimacies of the story with no distraction. This resulted in the first act being a taut psychological thriller and the second act a cheering comedy.
Photography – Charlie Swinbourne
It was pleasing to see the auditorium to be entirely in-the-round. It really makes shows here a special watch.
Careful staging means no one misses anything at all. And, being so close to the stage means characters are able to bring their monologues right into the space of audience members. This was particularly effective during Leontes’ descent into madness. We were drawn into his uncomfortable transition through paranoia and party to his complicity.
Act One feels the weight of The Duchess [of Malfi] particularly seeing Alice Barclay as Hermione in a simple white bloodstained dress. Through a 2025 lens, Leontes starts as very much the annoying privileged white man enforcing the patriarchy. In this production he is played by Felix Hayes, whose descent into madness is a glorious performance indeed. It’s testament to his acting ability that he is able to bring the audience back to his side come the end.
It’s quite a shocking change in dynamic to go from an opening party atmosphere into one of such mistrust. But, the production transitions seamlessly through these waters and how it impacts on the mental health and well-being of both the individual and those around them.
Liz Purnell’s sound felt immersive, particularly towards the end of the first half as the cast are thrown around the stage during a storm. The dramatic effects captured through a simple sail sheet across the stage bring to life dramatic shadows.
Act Two has the light and wit of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You feel like you’ve fallen into the Land of Oz after the tornado.
Here Corrina Buchan and Stu Mcloughlin make for a fabulous comedy act. It’s a much needed device after such a weighty first half. The audience is all for it.
There is then the ending of a statue coming to life – in a much lighter way than The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest – which interestingly comes from the same period of time as The Winter’s Tale.
Barclay with Hayes as the now redeemed Leontes together turn this into one of the most beautiful moments I’ve seen on stage. It’s a simple moment not rushed, without the dramatics and it completely melts your heart.
Heidi Vaughan’s choice of play is entirely understandable. It’s probably not one of the most-loved Shakespeare plays of all time, but from an audience’s perspective, you’re getting the best of Shakespeare’s Tragedy and Comedy in one sitting. This makes it a bargain play to watch.
The cast and production team have been chosen from actors and creatives that live within 25 miles of Bristol. This choice shows what fantastic regional talent we have to more than match that of productions in London and Stratford-upon-Avon.
And what of this bear? ‘Exit, pursued by a bear’ is one of the most famous stage directions of all time. In fairness to the theatre, you can barely turn a corner without seeing a bear on the marketing, bar or windows of the theatre. There’s also some really nice bear gingerbread to be bought at the bar. But we wanted more bear. The fault of that is Shakespeare’s, who didn’t foresee a generation for whom a bear chasing and attacking a man definitely needed to be much more TikTok.
Tobacco Factory Theatres’ production of The Winter’s Tale offers drama, comedy and stellar casting, make this a something-for-everyone play – performed with some of the finest actors you can see on stage right now.
The Winter’s Tale is at Tobacco Factory Theatres until 29 March 2025
Accessible Performances
BSL Interpreted Performances
Friday 21 March 2025 at 7:30pm
Saturday 22 March 2025 at 2:00pm
Relaxed Performance
Monday 24 March 2025 at 7.30pm
For more information or to book, visit: https://tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/the-winters-tale
Cast and Creatives
Alice Barclay – Hermione/Mopsa
Amy Loughton – Shepherd/Cleomenes
Bill Ward – Polixenes
Corrina Buchan – Clown/Dion
Dorian Simpson – Camillo
Felix Hayes – Leontes
Genevieve Sabherwal – Perdita/Emilia
Jacob Aldcroft – Florizel/Archidamas
Rose Wardlaw – Paulina/Dorcas
Stu Mcloughlin – Antigonus/Autolycus
Director – Heidi Vaughan
Editor – Robin Belfield
Composer – Ian Ross
Designer – Edwina Bridgeman
Producer – Sian Weeding
Production Manager – Ed Borgnis
Movement Director – Laïla Diallo
Assistant Movement Director – Ania Varez
Lighting Designer – Imogen Senter
Sound Designer – Liz Purnell
Company Stage Manager – Lizzie Laycock
Assistant Stage Manager – Eve Richardson
Assistant Director – Amy IlesAssistant
Director – Lara Lawman
Costume & Wardrobe – Anna Dixon, Holly Coulson, Bethany Boldero, Bryony Attwood
Lighting Programmer – Natalia Chan
Scenic Painting – Tom Crosley-Thorne
Carpentry – Jude Fulwood
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