The first production in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s season of plays at the Garrick Theatre officially opened yesterday and the reviews are coming in thick and fast for The Winter’s Tale starring Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh.
Michael Billington from The Guardian awarded the production four stars saying: “it is not afraid to hint at the darker elements in Shakespeare’s fable”.
The Stage also awarded the production four stars, with Mark Shenton summing the show up by commenting: “The Branagh Theatre Company gets off to a splendid start with a starry but sincere Winter’s Tale”.
Meanwhile, Stephen Collins for British Theatre.com gushed: “This is pure theatrical magic. The Winter’s Tale for our times.”
While Yassine Senghor for The Upcoming summed the show up by giving it five stars and describing it as: “a wondrous fairy tale for adults”.
Michael Coveney from Whatsonstage said: “How wonderful that an actor of Branagh’s sly brilliance and versatility is leading his own company on the West End stage.”
The Winter’s Tale is co-directed by Branagh and Rob Ashford and also stars Tom Bateman and Miranda Raison.
It is Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption that has been reimagined for a new audience. Many performances are now sold out but if you are looking for tickets it is worth calling the box office on 0330 333 4811 to find out the best availability and information.
The Winter’s Tale is on at the Garrick Theatre until the 16th January 2016.