As The Winter’s Tale continues its run at Tobacco Factory Theatres, we’re heading backstage once again for our Tales from the Dressing Room series. This time, we spoke to Bill Ward about playing a king, the thrill of working in an ensemble, and why performing in the round is such a unique experience.
Tell us about the character you’re playing in The Winter’s Tale.
I’m playing Polixenes, King of Bohemia—Leontes’ best friend. He’s spent the last nine months in Sicilia, enjoying the hospitality of Leontes and his wife, Hermione. He’s had a brilliant time, but it’s time to return home—he has a kingdom to run! When Leontes asks Hermione to persuade me to stay, everything unravels.
I’m particularly drawn to Polixenes’ fun-loving, open-hearted spirit. He loves his friend; they grew up together, and I think Polixenes sees Leontes almost as an older brother. They’re kindred spirits—rulers, decision-makers—but they have hugely contrasting personalities, almost like yin and yang.
How were rehearsals? what were the challenges or breakthroughs?
It was a hugely enjoyable rehearsal period. Heidi (our wonderful director) runs such a relaxed and collaborative rehearsal room. There’s been plenty of my favourite things—movement, music, laughter, and endless exploration. There’s a real sense that good ideas can come from anywhere in the room, which makes for such a playful and positive atmosphere. I’ve absolutely loved it.
How has your career prepared you for this role?
Blimey, what a question—how long have you got? Just as we, as humans, are the sum of everything we’ve experienced, I think the same holds true for acting. Every role, every project, feeds into the next in some way.
More specifically, I was recently part of the European premiere of The Book of Will at Bolton Octagon and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, which was an incredible experience. It tells the true story of the race to collect Shakespeare’s plays into the First Folio before they were lost forever. I played Henry Condell, one of Shakespeare’s closest friends and one of the main instigators of the First Folio. He had a particular fondness for Pericles, which, like The Winter’s Tale, is one of Shakespeare’s later plays—both are epic tales of love, loss, and redemption. Having already explored that emotional landscape has really helped me navigate The Winter’s Tale.
What excites you most about performing Shakespeare, and how do you make the text accessible?
What I love about Shakespeare is how deeply human it is. His plays deal with universal emotions—love, jealousy, revenge, betrayal—all of which are just as relevant today as when he was writing. The context and language may have changed, but the feelings remain the same.
If you can land the themes clearly and ensure the thoughts behind the words are crystal clear, then the language rings out beautifully. This is such a well-edited version of the play—Robin Belfield has done a brilliant job. The themes and characters have been so sharply defined that you’re left with the raw essence of the play itself.
The other thing I love is working in an ensemble, particularly one as talented as this. There’s such joy in telling a story together—actors, crew, and audience alike—especially in the round.
How does performing in the round at Tobacco Factory Theatres influence your performance?
Tobacco Factory Theatres is such a wonderful space. I live in Bedminster, so it’s my local theatre—I’ve seen so many incredible shows here over the years, from the Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory productions to the brilliant Christmas shows and the diverse range of visiting companies that pass through the building. It’s a truly unique and welcoming theatre.
As a performer, I love working in the round. Early in my career, I did a lot of shows at Battersea Arts Centre, many of which were in the round, and I’ve returned to the format many times since, most recently with The Book of Will at Bolton Octagon. It’s completely immersive, both for the actors and the audience. There’s nowhere to hide—everything you do is visible, which really raises the stakes and heightens the senses. It’s such a generous and inclusive way to tell a story, and I can’t wait to share this one with our audiences.
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Posted on 14 March 2025
