The Winter's Tale

The Winter's Tale was composed by William Shakespeare around 1610-11 and is one of the last plays written by the bard. Considered a tragicomedy or romance, the work is characterized by a gloomy atmosphere in its initial part; Leonte, king of Sicily, suspects that the son, whom his wife Ermione carries in her womb, is the fruit of an adultery consummated with his friend Polyxene, king of Bohemia. Hermione dies of pain for the unjust accusation and the child, who has come to light in the meantime, is repudiated and abandoned. But after sixteen years, after various vicissitudes and twists, the slandered innocence has its redemption.

The tragicomedy is divided into two parts: the first three acts have all the connotations of the tragedy, while the last two, those of the comedy, in fact the plot, as typical of romances, unfolds until the happy ending.

The show, directed by Valentino Villa, is a co-production Politeama s.r.l. - Theater of Rome and Silvio d’Amico National Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Photo credits: courtesy of the Globe Theatre official site