A MOVING new production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale comes to the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford in Spring 2021.

Directed by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman, the new production is set across a 16-year span from Mad Men to the moon landings.

It tells the story of King Leontes, whose jealousy rips his family apart and has lifelong consequences.

Following a successful run in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Barbican Theatre in London the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Winter’s Tale will go to five theatres in 2021 – including the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 2 to 6 February.

Erica Whyman said: “I am particularly excited to be directing The Winter’s Tale as it is one of my all-time favourite plays. It is a story of a man with immense power, who abuses it in the grip of a totally consuming paranoia, but then comes to his senses on a very public platform and apologises - without limit or excuse. That seems to me an act of such rare humility, that to do justice to it Shakespeare conjures a true fairytale, in which grief, repentance, patience, love and common sense are all in the end rewarded.”

She added: “I’m setting my production in the 1950s in a monarchy that has known fascism - an imagined Spain where politics, religion and power are deeply intertwined, moving later to 1969 in the North East of England in which real labour and a deep sense of community seems gloriously healthy, loving and straightforward by comparison.

“It is a privilege to be able to share this wonderful play with audiences around the country. I am passionate about ensuring the RSC means what it says about Shakespeare being for everyone, and being invited to tour to these welcoming and ambitious theatres is a significant plank of making that a reality.”

The Winter’s Tale tour forms part of the RSC’s ongoing mission to create a nation of Shakespeare and theatre lovers around the country.

Working hand-in-hand with its partner theatres, the local community, and Associate Schools, the RSC wants anybody aged 3 - 103 to have the opportunity to feel the transformative power of theatre and Shakespeare.

In the lead up to the production arriving in Bradford, Newcastle upon Tyne and Canterbury, the RSC and those venues will work with local schools and communities who might not normally visit the theatre, to create their own responses to the play.

These will be performed in and around those theatres, with more details to be announced.

The Royal Shakespeare Company presents The Winter’s Tale Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 February 2021.

Tickets £32.50 - £17.50 Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk to book

Please note: Shows can only be booked online as our Box Office is unable to take calls at this time. Sorry for any inconvenience.

*All prices shown include booking fees but are subject to postage charge if applicable. Bradford Theatres usual terms and conditions apply.