“…one of the best acted Shakespeare productions I have ever seen at Stratford…
As Leontes, Graham Abbey delivers the standout performance of the Stratford season thus far. His Leontes trembles in his step and stammers through his speech. His paranoia is one that stems from insecurity. In the first act, especially, Abbey convincingly charts Leontes’ unravelling: from suspicion to jealousy, to anger, to vengeance…
Meanwhile, [Sara] Topham imbues her Hermione with a sense of dignity. (Her trial scene is bone-chilling.) As Paulina, Hermione’s friend and fierce advocate, the ever formidable Yanna McIntosh delivers her lines in thunderous voice, stalking across the stage. In a spineless court of advisers unwilling to stand up to Leontes, it’s she who becomes its conscience…
There are exceptional performances all around. Orjalo and Austin Eckert possess wonderful chemistry as Perdita and Florizel, Polixenes’ son. They’re not to be outdone by Collins and Tom Rooney, equally fantastic as the king’s aides, Antigonus and Camillo. And Geraint Wyn Davies brings the humour as the thief Autolycus, a shape-shifting trickster with a wry, toothy grin.”