Although outgoing artistic director Mark Rylance isn’t in this one, his stepdaughter, Juliet Rylance, plays Perdita.
The staging, directed by Jonathan Dove, is an original practices production. In other words, it only uses clothing, music, dance and settings that were available to the Globe of 1599 — although it does employ a mixed-sex cast.
Paul Jesson plays Leontes, with Yolanda Vazquez as Hermione, Peter Forbes as Polixenes, Philipi Bird as Camillo and Penelope Beaumont as Paulina. The rest of the cast includes Colin Hurley, Sam Alexander, Roger McKern, Thomas Padden, Edward Peel, David Sturzaker, Hayley Jane Standing, Roger Watkins and Liana Weafer.
Design is by Jenny Tiramani, and music by William Lyons and Claire van Kampen. The production will run through Oct. 1.
Various peripheral events will be held to increase audiences’ understanding of the play. “Child’s Play” is an active introduction to matinee performances (on selected Saturdays at 2 PM) for 8-11 year olds. “Setting the Scene” features talks by leading scholars on selected Tuesdays at 6 PM. “Talking Theatre” comprises question-and-answer sessions with members of the company, on selected Wednesdays and Saturdays after the matinees. And, “Wisdom of Shakespeare” is a weekend course exploring the meaning, symbolism and teaching in The Winter’s Tale led by Mark Rylance and the author Peter Dawkins. For more details visit www.shakespeares-globe.org or call (0)20 7902 1400.