In fair Boston, where we lay our scene: Free Shakespeare comes to the Common
FOR I NE鈥橢R SAW TRUE BEAUTY TILL THESE LIGHTS: The cast of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company performs during a dress rehearsal of 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� onstage on Boston Common.
Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Boston
Jenny Jones grabbed what were arguably the best seats in the house.
For the past 20 years, she has been bringing members of her church to Boston Common for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company鈥檚 annual free summer Shakespeare plays. For one of the company's productions of 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� (which ran through Aug. 4), Ms. Jones arrived six hours early to secure a large enough spot on the lawn near the stage. Her fellow parishioners from St. Cecilia鈥檚 in Boston were nearby, each with picnic fare that wouldst rival the feast that Romeo doth crash at the Capulets鈥�.
Nael Nacer, who starred as King Leontes, understands the appeal of an outdoor show for audience members like Ms. Jones and for the actors. He has performed three times on the Common with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and proclaims each experience 鈥渕agical.鈥�
Why We Wrote This
Shakespeare鈥檚 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� is relatable to anyone who has experienced jealousy, loss, and redemption. Free public performances this summer made the play accessible to audiences who might otherwise never see it.
鈥淲e can often see the moon in the sky,鈥� Mr. Nacer says, 鈥渁nd there鈥檚 a lot of beauty there that I鈥檓 struck by.鈥�
The first half of 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� is its own complete tragedy. Jealousy and guilt consume Leontes, who believes he has been cuckolded. His wife and son shuffle off their mortal coils, and his newborn daughter is banished forthwith. 鈥淜ing Leontes believes his heart is broken,鈥� Mr. Nacer explains. 鈥淚t all comes from love.鈥澛�
Where the first half of the Commonwealth company's production was bathed in somber hues 鈥� monochromatic purples, blues, and grays 鈥� the comedic second half cloaked the cast in a riot of color. 鈥淚 almost feel like they have taken every colorful piece from their closet and put it on all at once,鈥� director Bryn Boice says. 鈥淓verything goes together; nothing goes together.鈥�
鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� is one of Shakespeare鈥檚 lesser-known works. But for Ms. Boice, it was only natural that she would choose to direct it.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 fit into a neat box and feels very much like life,鈥� she says. The play鈥檚 language is 鈥済orgeous and powerful and difficult ... and it really begs to be seen.鈥�
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