THEATRE REVIEW: The Winter's Tale, Birkenhead Park

Sep 1 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale performed in Birkenhead Park _320

WE HAVE been spoiled for outdoor theatre in the region this summer, and it’s a shame we haven’t quite had the weather to make the most of it.

However, this weekend it was well worth braving the elements to catch Wirral Community Theatre’s remarkable production of The Winter’s Tale, which ran from Thursday to Saturday.

Volunteers from the local community who had never taken to the stage before took parts alongside established Mersey talent for a performance that really bought the Bard to life – and it showed, by attracting a keen audience of hundreds of people of all ages. Director Neil Caple moved the action to the 1930s and then, with the passing of 18 years after the interval, the 1950s.

This worked well and certainly helped with the aim of making Shakespeare more accessible to new audiences (so, too, did the inventive touch of kitting out the character of Time as Dr Who, complete with Tom Baker scarf and theme tune) – staged by The Reader Organisation and with a supporting cast of amateurs from its Shakespeare Get Into Reading group.

Heading the familiar faces was Pauline Fleming as Paulina, understated and quietly impressive in such a dynamic, unflinching, self-assured role.

As cheeky conman Autolycus, Johnny Kennedy was alternatively a scene stealer and yet sometimes too OTT, but it was clear his know-how encouraged the less experienced cast members.

The desperation of Steven Casey’s raving Leontes was engrossing, and as teen lovers Perdita and Florizel, Maeve Diamond and Matthew Walker were thoroughly convincing.

The final scene was played to full poignant effect and would have stirred the hardest heart, and special mention should be made of Bill Caple, just adorable as Leontes’ young son Mamillius.

A fantastic ensemble piece and great team effort of which all involved should be justifiably proud.