Introduction

Abstract

In this section attention will be concentrated on the following four recent productions of The Winter’s Tale:

• 1. The RSC production of 1969 at Stratford-upon-Avon, directed by Trevor Nunn; designed by Christopher Morley; music by Guy Woolfenden; Richard Pasco as Polixenes; Barrie Ingham as Leontes; Judi Dench as Hermione and Perdita; Brenda Bruce as Paulina; Derek Smith as Autolycus.

• 2. The RSC production of 1976 at Stratford-upon-Avon, directed by John Barton and Trevor Nunn; designed by Di Seymour; music by Guy Woolfenden; Ian McKellen as Leontes; John Woodvine as Polixenes; Marilyn Taylerson as Hermione; Cherie Lunghi as Perdita; Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Paulina; Michael Williams as Autolycus.

• 3. The BBC television production of 1980, directed by Jane Howell; designed by Don Homfray; music by Dudley Simpson; Jeremy Kemp as Leontes; Robert Stephens as Polixenes; Anna Calder-Marshall as Hermione; Debbie Farrington as Perdita; Margaret Tyzack as Paulina; Rikki Fulton as Autolycus.

• 4. The RSC production of 1981 at Stratford-upon-Avon (Barbican, 1982), directed by Ronald Eyre; designed by Chris Dyer; music by Stephen Oliver; Patrick Stewart as Leontes; Ray Jewers as Polixenes; Gemma Jones as Hermione; Julia Hills as Perdita; Sheila Hancock as Paulina; Geoffrey Hutchings as Autolycus.