The Bridge Project: The Winter's Tale

The Winter's Tale

On 28 of March 2009, the Creative Circle members and selected Sec 1 Literature students got a special treat as we got to watch a play at a world-class facility, Esplanade-Theatres on the bay, with Miss Mazlinda, Mr Sam Soo, Ms. Ho Wei Ling, Ms Loola, Mr Shahril and even the HOD of English Language/Literature, Mdm Kesavan.

It was the much-anticipated Bridge Project, The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare – directed by none other than Sam Mendes. The Bridge Project is a major transatlantic venture for Director Sam Mendes, Brooklyn Academy of Music and The Old Vic in London whose Artistic Director is Kevin Spacey. Sam Mendes directed the play with a stellar cast comprising of Simon Russell Beale, Sinead Cusack, Rebecca Hall and Ethan Hawke.

We were thrilled to be able to watch another excellent production which was presented by The Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT). In fact, we were so grateful that our EXCO members, Hana and Narimah prepared a token of appreciation for SRT. We have always enjoyed watching plays, both local productions as well as international ones. We hope that we will continue to enhance our cultural awareness and appreciate the Arts on top of improving our English Language and Literature through more of such productions.

Here is a brief summary on the play.

King Leontes of Sicilia begs his childhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, to extend his visit to Sicilia. Polixenes protests that he has been away from his kingdom for nine months, but after Leontes's pregnant wife, Hermione, pleads with him he relents and agrees to stay a little longer. Leontes, meanwhile, has become possessed with jealousy--convinced that Polixenes and Hermione are lovers. He orders his loyal retainer, Camillo, to poison the Bohemian King. Instead, Camillo warns Polixenes of what is afoot, and the two men flee Sicilia immediately.

Soon, Hermione gave birth to a daughter named Perdita. Perdita was not accepted by King Leontes because he taught that Perdita was not his daughter. Perdita was raised by a shepherd. After 16 years, Perdita fell in love with Florizel, Prince of Bohemia, who is the son of Polixenes. Polixenes did not accept Perdita because she is poor. Both of the lovers, Perdita and Florizel ran away to Sicilia to get blessing from Leontes.

At Sicilia, Leontes was moaning in pain because he has lost both his son and wife. When Perdita and Florizel came to Sicilia, many thought that Perdita looked like his wife. The King showed Perdita the sculpture of the Queen. Unexpectedly, the statue moved and came to life. Actually, the queen did not die. She lied about it to teach the King a lesson. In the end, everyone lived happily especially Leontes.

Done by : Nurul Ayu ( 2 Integrity)

Hafieqa Ismail (2 Integrity)

Illa Haziqin ( 2 Aspire)