Review Shakespeare Upon Avon: The Winter’s Tale

By Tayler Turner

The guests who attended the Rochester Christian University Theatre Company production of

“The Winter’s Tale” alongside me told me they were certain they wouldn’t understand it– “I just don’t get Shakespeare,” they told me time and again.

My only response was: “wait and see.”

The RCU troupe, presenting the annual Shakespeare Upon Avon series, hosted evening

performances at the outdoor theatre, with a Sunday matinee taking place at the Richardson

Auditorium. We attended one of each to get the full experience.

As the play began, a wave of music and laughter washed over the audience, instantly pulling

you into the scene. During the inside production, the auditory effects were encapsulating,

making you feel like every little sound was swallowing you up.

In contrast, the audio was less immersive, but much more atmospheric for the outside viewing.

The music and other sound effects were accompanied by the chirping of crickets and the

reactions of a lively audience. Both were equally effective in hooking the audience and holding their attention.

New scenes were ushered before us with the aid of changes in sound. The music also adapted to fit the mood of the scene’s locations. When we were in Sicilia, we were presented with a formal celebratory melody, while in Bohemia, we were met with more hearty music.

Despite the lack of any physical change, it was easy to tell where you were meant to be due to the sound effects, costume changes and body language. A simple design of two thrones and a few stairs took center stage in this production. Our group felt that this choice had a positive impact on the play. The limited background contrasted perfectly with the robust language, which offered more opportunity to focus on character and emotion rather than the space they lived in.

Throughout the play, actors walked around the spectators by weaving through the aisles so

naturally, as if there wasn’t anything in the space except them. Their performance was done so subtly that even a viewer can forget they were separate from the show; it felt like you were a part of it. At one point, my company turned to me with an admiring smile and said, “It feels like I am right there with them- the way they walk around and everything. It’s like I am in it.”

Overall, it goes without saying that my guests were pleasantly surprised. Each of them, along with several other members of the audience, found themselves in tears by the closing scene.

“Even if I didn’t understand all of the language, the actors made it so easy to understand the

emotion. I knew exactly what they were feeling the whole time, so I could tell what was

happening,” each of them reported. Their receptions reflect the theory that Shakespeare is meant to be seen more than read.

A play is only as good as the people who made it happen. As a result, the RCU theatre team

effectively translated the age-old script into an approachable and enjoyable show for all

audiences. I look forward to their next production.