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| Baker Shake creates warm, exciting `Winter's Tale' |
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by Naomi Horowitz
In Shakespeare's day, The Winter's Tale enjoyed tremendous popularity that has since lessened considerably. In Baker Shake's 27th season, director Joseph "Chepe" Lockett presents a fulfilling production of The Winter's Tale, proving the popularity of the play well- founded. The Winter's Tale tells of honor, jealousy and fidelity. Leontes (Peter Rogers), king of Sicily, accuses his chaste wife Hermione (Amy Hassan) of commiting adultery with his guest Polixenes (Roger Chen), king of Bohemia. Leontes sends Hermione to prison, where she gives birth to a baby girl. Calling the girl a "bastard," he sends the baby away. His servants take her to Bohemia, where she grows up under the charge of a shepherd. The play continues 16 years later in Bohemia; Polixenes' son Florizel (Jeff Hernandez) woos a sweet country girl (the lost princess Perdita). Polixenes disapproves of the match. Under the advice of Camillo (Colby McLaurin), the lovers travel to Sicily to beg Leontes for approval and Leontes pledges his aid. The ending is best experienced live. Because Lockett attempts so intensely to show each side of all of the dramatic activity, the actors constantly turn their backs to the audience. Although this weakens the performance, Lockett's conscientious direction makes the show work. The motivations of the characters are clear through their movements, which facilitates understanding of the play. Passion, deep understanding and love of the text are displayed by the actors and director alike. Although not satisfying in the opening moments of the play, Rogers warms up and delivers a wonderful performance as Leontes. Using his tall frame, he towers over his subordinates in rage. Nick Collins as the First Lord does a marvelous job of attempting to placate Rogers' irate Leontes. Hassan as Hermione shows great strength in interpretation. She relishes her lines and delivers them intelligently. In all facial expression and body language, Hassan successfully maintains her composure. Playing Polixenes, Chen exudes some of the dignity that is so strong in Hermione. His Polixenes loses some punch for the same reason as Hassan's Hermione -- he stays settled in one tone of his great bass voice. At times his delivery becomes wooden. However, his stillness let Polixenes' regal uprightness shine. The play also receives strong supporting roles from Hernandez, McLaurin, Collins, Natalie Kirilcuk (Paulina) and Laura Duke (Perdita). The unique stage accentuates the dramatic performances. The raised sections on either end of the stage compel the actors to strengthen their performances. Leontes' jealousy intensifies while he occupies his elevated throne; Hermione's virtue comes through as she stands firmly above the penitent Leontes on her pedestal. The simple colors of the stage prevent the possibility of annoying distraction. With strong performances, good direction and solid technical work, Baker Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale comes together nicely. Although the unrounded peformances of the leads create some dull moments, the action remains exciting. This Winter brings spring-like warmth to the gray, flooded Rice campus.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the March 14, 1997 issue. |
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