King Leontes of Sicilia is seized by unexpected and terrible jealousy of his wife Hermione, whom he accuses of adultery. He thinks the child Hermione is certainly bearing was fathered by his friend Polixenes, so when the baby young lady exists he purchases her to be taken to some outrageous place and still left to perish. Though Hermione’s child escapes death, Leontes’ cruelty has terrible consequences. Reduction paves just how for reunion, and life and wish are delivered out of desolation and despair.

Among the later romances in Shakespeare’s canon, this complex work is at moments tragic, at times humorous, but always entertaining and enlightening.

Sinead Cusack plays Hermione, and Ciaran Hinda plays Leontes. Eileen Atkins can be Paulina and Paul Jesson is certainly Polixenes. Time the Chorus is definitely played by Sir John Gielgud.