12 November 2025
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When I reviewed ‘The Winter’s Tale’ performed by Exeter-based Sun and Moon Theatre at Poltimore House in the summer of 2024, it was my first encounter with the company. I was struck by the enthusiasm, the invention, the love of language and the ability to tell the stories in such a clear lucid fashion.
Since then I have seen three further performances by to Company and written a lengthy magazine article about them, all of which has only underlined the initial thoughts about their position as outstanding proponents of William Shakespeare. Their productions have a wonderful simplicity to them – while placing their versions of the plays in specific settings, they keep props and costumes straightforward and appropriate. It is, though, the text that is king, working from the Quarto and First Folio scripts, they just understand how to speak the words; the poetry is beautiful and the actors are fully on top of the Bard.
Sun and Moon Theatre are usually to be seen in the great outdoors, in some stunning venues and it is a good few years since they have moved inside out of the elements. There have been some adjustments to the production from last year – the cast is been slimmed from 8 to 7, with two of the 2024 company members not present and one new addition, a redistribution of some of the roles has taken place. As ever, various textual cuts and alterations to fit their personnel are required and these are executed with care for the story and the text and the audience find it remarkably difficult to see the joins.
‘The Winter’s Tale’ is such a game of two halves – the first full of tough drama and the second much lighter and more comic leading to an incredibly moving climax. The use of live music and singing throughout is the perfect accompaniment and this is all performed with great skill and flair.
As the first half comes to an end, there is a thud, thud sound in the auditorium as a grizzly beast enters the action in order to chase off one of the characters with the most famous of stage directions, ‘Exit, pursued by bear’.
This is a funny, charming, inventive and incredibly accessible production of the play and is extremely illustrative of the company. The move to an indoor venue in no way detracts from the atmosphere or production as a whole – Shakespeare’s work shines through.
The cast of Melissa Barrett, David Johnson, Richard Knox, Sally Naylor, Matt Page, Emerson Pike and Beatrice Savill have unique talents which combine perfectly to ensure the audience have a delightful experience either reacquainting themselves with this great play or discovering it for the first time.
I cannot recommend seeing Sun and Moon Theatre strongly enough and urge you to keep across their activities on their website – www.sunandmoontheatre.com – I would be surprised if you are disappointed. They are a 5star company if ever I saw one.
Each year the Cormac Richards Theatre Awards are presented to productions and individuals which have appeared in our reviews during the year. There is always an award for Company/Venue and this is one which is presented without shortlist. Although any nominations are still a few weeks away, it is a delight to be able to announce….
