Date for BBC broadcast of RSC’s The Winter’s Tale

Published: 14 April 2021
Reporter: Steve Orme

Joseph Kloska (Leontes) and Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Hermione) Credit: Topher McGrillis

A filmed adaptation of The Winter's Tale is to be broadcast on BBC Four, marking the first time in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s history that a production has had a televised world première.

The film adaptation forms part of Lights Up, a season of plays for BBC TV and radio, produced in partnership with theatres across the UK and continuing the Culture in Quarantine series.

The Winter’s Tale was due to be staged in 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The RSC no longer has plans to present the play on stage.

The RSC’s deputy artistic director Erica Whyman directs The Winter’s Tale. The cast includes Ben Caplan as Camillo, Andrew French as Polixenes, Amanda Hadingue as Paulina, Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Hermione and Joseph Kloska as Leontes.

The play has been adapted for television by the original creative team including set designer Tom Piper, costume designer Madeleine Girling, Prema Mehta (lighting), Isobel Waller-Bridge (music), Anna Morrissey (movement) and Kate Waters (fights). The production features screen direction by Bridget Caldwell.

The Winter’s Tale will be broadcast on Sunday 25 April 2021 at 7PM. It will also be available on the BBC iPlayer. The RSC will stream the production to subscribers, members and patrons based outside the UK after the BBC broadcast. There are also plans for release in cinemas and on DVD.

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