The Winter’s Tale reviewed by Mary Alderson.

by Richard Young

(This Review originally appeared on the website Entertain This Thought, and it is reposted with the permission of the reviewer.)

The Winter’s Tale, on stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre at the Stratford Festival, is a fascinating study of paranoia and mental illness which leads to a horrible situation. Then suddenly as the play draws to a pleasant close, all is well – cured, loved, and forgiven. While it is expertly directed and brilliantly performed, it is the abrupt shift in the end that leaves me cold.

Leontes, King of Sicily (Graham Abbey) is hosting his long-time friend Polixenes, the King of Bohemia (André Sills) and asks him to extend his visit. Polixenes declines. But when Queen Hermione (Sara Topham) invites him to stay longer, he agrees.

Immediately Leontes becomes suspicious of the two of them. He accuses his wife of being unfaithful, for no apparent reason. His jealousy and paranoia take control him. Hermione is pregnant, and Leontes decides the baby is not his; it must the child of his friend Polixenes. The King orders his Ambassador, Camillo (Tom Rooney) to get rid of Polixenes, but instead Camillo lets him flee. Then the King puts his wife in prison, where she gives birth to a baby girl. Their son, the darling little prince Mamillius, (played by Philip Myers and George Robinet in alternate performances) dies while his mother is in prison, and she in turn dies of sorrow. Leontes orders the baby be taken away and abandoned.

After intermission, the story fast-forwards 16 years, and Time (Lucy Peacock) appears in the form of an angel with white feathered wings. A lowly shepherd’s adopted daughter, Perdita (Marissa Orjalo) and Florizel (Austin Eckert), son of King Polixenes want to marry. There are concerns that she is not a suitable bride, but Florizel persists. In the meantime, with everyone he loves dead or gone, Leontes realizes the error of his ways. Eventually they figure out that Perdita is the daughter of Hermione and Leontes, making her suitable for Florizel and the wedding is celebrated. A statue of Hermione comes to life, then she forgives Leontes and they renew their relationship.

Director Antoni Cimolino has gathered Stratford’s corps d’elite in the cast, and a large cast at that – enough to fill the long, thrust stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre. Graham Abbey is excellent as the unwell Leontes. His paranoia and mental illness came in subtle waves; he didn’t have to exaggerate it. Sara Topham gives us a lovely Hermione, puzzled by her husband’s accusations. André Sills starts as a very dignified King Polixenes, but then provides some humour as a disguised spy, as does his sidekick in disguise, Tom Rooney as Camillo. Lucy Peacock is an ethereal angel as Time. Tom McCamus creates some fun as a slightly befuddled Old Shepherd, along with Christo Graham as his overly exuberant son. Geraint Wyn Davies has a great clown-like role as the hilarious swindler Autolycus.

The Winter’s Tale is an interesting story; one you don’t study in school or see performed often. This production is designed to take the audience into the depths of the King’s paranoia, but after intermission, lighten the mood. However, if Shakespeare was here, I’d tell him it was just too unbelievable. How can Leontes be forgiven? He jailed his wife and left her to die there, let their adorable young son die, and banished their baby girl to be abandoned in another country. If he is, indeed, suffering from mental illness and he acknowledges that, seeks help, and finds medication, then we can forgive him. We will just have to believe that Shakespeare was ahead of his time, finding a means to improve mental health.

The Winter’s Tale continues in repertory until September 27 at Tom Patterson Theatre, Stratford. Tickets are available at the Stratford Festival by calling 1-800-567-1600 or online at www.stratfordfestival.ca

Photo: André Sills as Polixenes (front-left), Sara Topham as Hermione (front-right) and Graham Abbey as Leontes (far right) with members of the company in The Winter’s Tale, Stratford Festival 2025. Photo by David Hou.

The Winter’s Tale
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Antoni Cimolino
Original Music by Wayne Kelso
Performed by Graham Abbey, Yanna McIntosh, Sara Topham, Austin Eckert, Tom McCamus, Marissa Orjalo, Tom Rooney, André Sills, Geraint Wyn Davies, et al
Tom Patterson Theatre, Stratford
Stratford Festival
May 7 to October 27, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson

For more theatre reviews and news, visit https://www.entertainthisthought.com/

by Richard Young

Sharpen your audition skills with Jeff Holbrough!

Join us for a FREE Musical Audition Seminar led by musical director and educator Jeff Holbrough.

Jeff brings a wealth of experience from London Musical Theatre, Woodstock Little Theatre, Ingersoll Theatre, Auburn Theatre — and of course, the Palace! A sought-after adjudicator across Ontario, he’s also performed professionally with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony and various choirs as a soloist. Jeff approaches every session with care for the voice, genuine encouragement and just the right amount of humour to keep you relaxed and learning.

📅 Thursday, September 4
🕖 7–8:30 pm
📍 Maryse Leitch Hall, Palace Theatre Arts Commons

As part of our New Stage Adult Theatre Education series, this seminar is perfect for anyone looking to refine their musical audition technique in a supportive, professional environment.

✅ Learn valuable tips for auditions from an industry pro
✅ Ask questions and focus on showcasing your talent
✅ Limited spots available!

📧 Register now: info@ptaclondon.ca

🎭 Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your confidence and take your audition skills to the next level!

The Beat Magazine 2009 website needs content!

by Richard Young

The Beat Magazine 2009 website needs content. London area creative workers and arts and culture venues, do you have a gig, exhibit, play, or special event coming up? Let us know about it. Would you like us to prepare a Profile of you and your work? We do that, too. Contact Content Manager and Publisher, Richard Young, with the details at richardyoung@thebeatmagazine2009.ca

Black Lives Lived Here: London Family Photos 1910s–1960s at Museum London.

by Richard Young

August 9 to April 5, 2026

Atrium, Main Level

Black Lives Lived Here: London Family Photos 1910s–1960s invites you into a powerful visual journey through time. This installation showcases over 50 beautiful family photographs, generously shared from the photo albums of African Canadians who lived, loved, and overcame adversity in London, Ontario.

These images honour the descendants of freedom seekers—those who came to Canada resisting enslavement in the Southern United States—and celebrate the vibrant communities they built across Southwestern Ontario. Each photo captures real moments of joy, resilience, and connection from birthday parties to weddings, depicting childhood play and everyday life. Together, these portraits tell proud and joyful stories of Black life in the early to mid-20th century, each radiating swag, gravity, and a deep sense of vitality.

Through the lens of family and memory, Black Lives Lived Here invites us to reflect on the past while expanding the visual canon depicting Black Canadian life. These images don’t just preserve history; they invite us to broaden our perspectives and carry this spirit forward into the future.

Image: Photograph, Jim, Arthur, Melvin, and Ken Moxley, Charlie Smith, Allan Anderson (crouching), and an unknown girl, London (detail), around 1960. Courtesy of Jeff Anderson

This exhibition has been curated by Zahra McDoom, TD Curator of Collections, and made possible through generous support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment

From Sea to Sky; Connected by a Thread is open until Saturday August 30th at the Westland Gallery.

by Richard Young

Lorraine Roy’s fabulous textile works, big and small, are now available at Westland Gallery.

From Sea to Sky; Connected by a Thread is open until Saturday, August 30th. This exhibition features new fabric-based works by Lorraine, Carmella Karijo Rother, Holly Friesen, Mita Giacomini, Haley Fields, Elaine Ball, Robin Wiltse, and Julia Ismambetova!

Join several of our artists this Saturday, August 9th, from 1pm to 3pm at the Opening Reception. All are welcome to attend, no RSVP required.

#TBT – We featured London-based dancer and choreographer Amy Wright on the cover of the Summer 2013 issue of The Beat Magazine.

by Richard Young

In addition to a Profile of Amy Wright, the issue included a Music Spotlight on Marque Smith by Dawn Lyons, an article about the expansion of Attic Books by Kym Wolfe, a preview of summer theatre in the area by Susan Scott, an article about London’s Fugitive Slave Chapel by Jason Rip, a Spotlight on London native, actor Deborah Hay, who was appearing in the Stratford Festival’s The Three Musketeers, by Kathy Rumleski, a preview of London’s summer music festivals by Bob Klanac, a Q&A with Kathy Navackas, the then Executive producer of the London Fringe Festival, by the Beat’s editor Nicole Laidler, and more.

LONDON FRINGE PERFORMER HIGHLIGHT: TONY MOLESWORTH.

by Richard Young

Catch Tony him at Procunier Hall – London Fringe 2025

Tony Molesworth has produced seven One Man Shows of Myrth & Music. Presented in Theatres, Universities, Festivals, concerts, cruises, casinos (headliner at Sands & Caesar’s Palace). From the Catskills to Vegas, LA’s Magic Castle to Disney World, and Three Armed Forces Tours.

Wizeguy #TonyMolesworth #FringeComedy #LondonFringe2025 #PalaceTheatre #VarietyShow #OneManShow #MusicalComedy #FringeHighlight #LiveEntertainment

Piano Lessons With Clark Bryan

by Richard Young

Now that I’ve retired from The Aeolian and have more time, I’ve decided to open up a few more spaces in my teaching studio. If you know of someone interested in piano lessons, please have them reach out or go through my personal website: clarkbryan.ca
I’ve always taught a few students during my tenure as Director of the Aeolian. Teaching is definitely one of my first loves! I haven’t advertised for decades, so please help spread the word:). Happy to do in-person or virtual lessons (I have a few students from other countries).

Biography:

Clark Bryan is an award-winning concert pianist, composer, recording artist, educator and activist. He has studied with some of the greatest pianists of our times. With fourteen albums to his credit, Clark has also recorded over two thousand piano works for his You Tube channel. As a teacher, Bryan has taught thousands of students, adjudicated more than 75 music festivals coast-to-coast in Canada, given dozens of workshops and written a book, “Gateways to Learning and Memory”. In 2004, he founded The Aeolian Performing Arts Centre and served as the Artistic and Executive Director until his decision to retire at the end of 2024.
Bryan believes that everyone should have universal access to music, art, education, and culture. Because of this belief, he launched El Sistema Aeolian in 2011. This free, UNESCO award-winning program has offered more than a thousand children and youth an opportunity to experience the joy of a rich musical education. “Music is one of the most powerful tools we have for social change,” he says. In all his work with the arts and education work, Clark displays a progressive, social-justice mindset.
Other innovations have included Aeolian Pride Choruses, Rebelheart Collective, Aeolian Talks, A National Song Writing Competition, an artist in residence program and The Aeolian Jazz and Musical Arts Festival.
Bryan was awarded Musical Personality of the Year (2005) and won a Jack Richardson Award for Community Contribution (2011). In 2017, Mr. Bryan was given the Western Alumni Award of Merit and inducted into the Don Wright Faculty of Music Wall of Fame. In 2018, Clark was recognized with a Queen Elizabeth Canada 150 Medal through the House of Commons for his contributions to community and the nation. In 2022 and 2025 Clark won Best Classical Instrumentalist at Forest City London Music Awards. In 2023, Bryan was featured in a book about London by renowned author Richard Bain. In 2023, Clark was awarded a Lifetime achievement award from the Forest City London Music Awards and inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was awarded The Mayor’s Honour List from The City of London. In 2025, Clark was awarded The King Charles III Medal for service to the nation. In the same year he was awarded the “Laudible” award from PHSS.
Bryan continues to extend his reach into the community. Whether speaking about the power and joy of music study in his TEDX talk or engaging in community activism, Clark is committed to building strong, culturally rich communities that celebrate the arts, culture and education. He speaks regularly at events, is featured on radio, in newsprint and television.

Hear Here: Hear There: ADJD Tripsitter Society at Museum London

by Richard Young

Join us Thursday, August 14, at Museum London for a special edition of Hear Here: Hear There: ADJD Tripsitter Society. 

Presented in partnership with Forest City Gallery, this free, all-ages event will feature a live improvisation set by experimental electronic collective ADJD Tripsitter Society, followed by a collaborative jam session inside 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘑𝘢𝘮 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘩, a student-led art-tech installation made of hybrid furniture-instruments.

Thursday, August 14

5:30–7:30 pm

Museum London, 421 Ridout Street North

Learn more: https://buff.ly/Z43myb8