Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Conrad Nelson, Russell Richardson, Andy Cryer, Jack Lord, Hannah Barrie, Vanessa Schofield, Lauryn Redding, Andrew Whitehead, Jordan Kemp, Adam Barlow, Ruth Alexander Rubin, Mike Hugo, Jessica Dyas.

You can always trust Time to deliver a verdict that reconciles the world when it is damaged just as you can trust Time to play with the misfortunes of men when it suits to teach them a lesson for the insanity and jealous ravings.

The Winter’s Tale may be seen as one of William Shakespeare’s problem plays but the way that perennial favourites Northern Broadsides capture the emotion, the psychological issues, the overwhelming happiness as well as the absorbing Pastoral scene, is to be wary of suggesting that Academic thought that the play cannot be fitted into a category, that it somehow must not be seen to belong to any other thought in Shakespeare’s mind. For it should be seen perhaps as a way of offering something new, the cynical act of the well versed bard keeping audiences on their toes and asking them to believe that jealousy can be tamed.

Time is at the centre of The Winter’s Tale but like the oblique messenger of the Gods is not to be seen in true form, only in what it is able to accomplish as Northern Broadsides bring the play up to the present day by presenting the first half in the closing days of the last century and the second in 2015; Time heals but not as quickly as we would perhaps like nor wish for.

The welcome return of Mike Hugo to the touring side of Northern Broadsides is always a boon to any of their productions, an actor of such versatility and comfortable persona should always be seen to make a huge impact on any play that the company take on the road. His portrayal as Autolycus was both entertaining and full of the expectation that fans of Northern Broadsides have come to expect over the years; a man for all seasons who doesn’t get enough chance to come to Liverpool to entertain crowds.

With Liverpool favourite Jessica Dyas, making her debut appearance for the troupe, Andy Cryer as Camillo and Conrad Nelson portraying such gravitas in the lead role of Leontes, the self indulged and self taught harbourer of jealousy all on excellent form, The Winter’s Tale is in more than capable hands and one that adds colour to the dying shade of the season at hand.

There is a feeling of completeness to the year, the theatrical unity on offer when Northern Broadsides come bearing gifts of sentiment, emotion and honest and well produced theatre. It is a comprehensive and fully fledged artistic endeavour that always has audiences begging for more and relishing the fact that their prayers are always answered.

Ian D. Hall