ropeller Theatre Company from Great Britain presents Shakespeare’s plays as Shakespeare would have, with an allmale cast. At this special demonstration, you will have the opportunity to watch the cast members perform selected scenes from The Winter’s Tale and hear them talk about their interpretation of the play and how they approach their roles. Pay close attention to the following discussions about these aspects of their production:
Did you know that The Winter’s Tale features one of Shakespeare’s most famous and unusual stage directions—“Exit, pursued by a bear”? Each individual director determines whether and how to show the bear chasing Antigonus after he abandons Perdita. During the demonstration, Propeller’s cast will talk about their unique approach. If you were the director, how would you stage the scene? Discuss your ideas with others.
❖ Role doubling, or having one actor play more than one character
❖ Having Mamillius reappear after his death
❖ Using an hourglass in the set
The pickpocket Autolycus arrives and charms and cheats the crowd with his songs. Propeller Theatre Company gives the character a new twist by having the actor wear a costume and a bold attitude resembling that of an aging rock star.
Stephen A. Schwarzman Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education
Welcome to Cuesheet, your guide to
The Winter’s Tale
A Watermill Theatre
Directed by Edward Hall A Watermill (UK) production by Propeller Theatre Company With support from the British Council USA
(UK) production by Propeller Theatre Company of selected scenes from The
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Winter’s Tale. Cuesheet is published by the Education Department of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,Washington, D.C. The hourglass marks topics for discussion or activities you may want do with other
Cuesheet
students, friends,
Editorial and Art Director: Lisa Resnick Writer: Marcia A. Friedman Design: The Kirwan Company, Inc.
Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, a program of the Kennedy Center Education Department and a member of the MarcoPolo Consortium. For more information about the performing arts and arts education, visit our Web sites: kennedy-center.org/education artsedge.kennedy-center.org Questions, comments? Write us at cuesheets@artsedge.kennedycenter.org. © 2005 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The U.S. Department of Education supports approximately one-third of the budget for the Kennedy Center Education Department. The contents of this Cuesheet do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
or family.
Playwright William Shakespeare wrote both tragedies and comedies. But in a handful of plays like The Winter’s Tale, he rolled them into one, creating a form of drama called romance. Different from what we see in modern movie romances, a classic romance features tragic conflicts, family disputes, comic situations, and even magical or supernatural happenings. The Winter’s Tale begins with the jealous destruction of a family. But with the passage of time, the last third of the play bursts forth toward spring with song, silliness, young love…and a miracle.
The Propeller Theatre Company will present a demonstration and performance of The Winter’s Tale.
ALL PHOTOS © ALASTAIR MUIR