A Masterful Ensemble Production

A seasonal tale that, by the end of Act 1, sees the King's misplaced jealousy destroy his family, his court and his closest friendships. Redemption does eventually arrive, after much singing, dancing, mischief-making and general Shakespearean shenanigans, with a magical angelic beauty in the finale. But Branagh's Leontes leaves you feeling he got away lightly, and Dame Judy's Paulina knows it, but has reluctantly agreed to let him off the hook for the sake of a happy ending.

This all-star-cast - and that title extends to every member of the company - are just exceptional in this three act play that leaps between tragedy, comedy and romance.

Branagh transforms the style of his Leontes dressed in his sailor's pea coat during his stormy breakdown into jealous rage into an imperious Russian great coat flecked with snowflakes of desolation with all the style of a scene from Chekov for the humbled and redeemed King..

One thing you can always count on with Lord Branagh is that he does wear a great coat with style. Dame Judy equally sparkles and fizzes her way through with a presence that makes everyone sit up and listen, players and audience alike.

The quality of the ensemble lifts the play to an exceptional level through the sheer pace they give this sometimes awkward tale, and their mastery of where they are headed from the outset.

Branagh uses his full range to get off to a thunderous start, raging against Miranda Raison's quiet grace. The gearshift into the lighthearted Act 2 is always difficult and hats off to Jesse Buckley. Her natural accent and charm comes through so strongly that she takes the audience with her into the romcom section and, refreshed from the interval, the audience warm to her in a way that sets the rest of the play on a happy course.

The delightful cast of virtuoso performances that then cascade upon us brings the full power of shakespeare's work to life in a way that transcends the written words and turns the interplay of words and characters into a symphony of prose.

This production benefits greatly from the intimate nature of the Garrick, and even the bass rumblings of the underground beneath our feet added suspense at just the right moments in the production.

View our show pages for more information about The Winter's Tale, Garrick Theatre.