A Winter's Tale
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Elliott, Hill
Photo by Craig Schwartz
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
To the beautiful strains of Endre Balogh's violin, the actors of A Noise Within presented Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale to an audience primarily composed of high school and college students at the performance I attended. Their enthusiasm and attention while searching for the meaning of so many unfamiliar words pays off as Geoff Elliott's Leontes, Jill Hill's Hermione, Deborah Strang's Paulina, and William Hunt's Camillo bring the play to its resounding, joyous conclusion.
The Winter's Tale, not a favorite in Shakespearean repertoire, has escaped my attention until now. It is a powerful story and revolves around Leontes, King of Sicilia, being engulfed by obsessive jealously. Paranoia and delusions overcome the king as he is convinced his wife, Hermione, has cuckolded him with his dearest friend, Polixenes, King of Bohemia (Steven Rockwell). Her betrayal is evident to Leontes by her obvious pregnancy as the play opens. She is banished and sent to jail where she gives birth to a daughter who is ordered to die but is saved from death by a kind-hearted shepherd who brings her up as his own child. Leontes and Hermione's young son dies tragically of grief, thus leaving the king bereft of his family.
Fortunately, there is a second act, and here Shakespeare in his marvelous, convoluted way, brings everyone back for their final curtain - all to the strains of an ebullient violin solo. All who were thought dead are actually alive. This is a reminder of Shakespeare's penchant for ghosts, shadows, graves, and the realm of the spiritual which are ever present. Finally, Leontes many years of suffering and pain are rewarded with a second chance of happiness with his family.
The actors at A Noise Within represent some of the finest in our city. The talented Mr. Elliott not only takes center stage but is the co-director with his wife, Julia Rodriguez-Elliott. Entrances, exits, blackouts are speedy and exciting to watch. Lines are delivered with the proper accentuation so that the meaning can't be misunderstood. Shakespeare's language is a consistent delight: In making his request to marry Perdita, Florizel asks for "This hand of dove's down!" The King says sarcastically of women, "The woman says so? They will say anything!" Elliott adds all the mirth, joy, and fantasy of a carnival with some very creative costumes designed by Soojin Lee. The set design is sparse but effectively wrought by Darcy Scanlin, and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott's brief but charming choreography adds some respite to all the anger and sadness of Leontes which overwhelms the first act.
Excellence displays itself in every department on and off stage as this Winter's Tale warms the cockles of our hearts. We can all breathe easier at the happy ending as we exit A Noise Within.
The Winter's Tale A Noise Within 234 So. Brand Boulevard Glendale 91204 Tel. 818-240-0910, Ext. 1 Performances: Nov. 18 @ 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 2 @ 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 5-7 @ 8:00 p.m.; Dec. 8 @ 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets $36-$40; Student Rush O.K. www.anoisewithin.org
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