Original Practice Shakespeare Festival presents “Winter’s Tale”

Original Practice Shakespeare Festival offers a free presentation of “Winter’s Tale” at 7 p.m. July 17 at Laurelhurst Park, Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Stark Street, Portland. The company uses the original practice techniques of Elizabethan England: limited rehearsal, scrolls in hand, audience interaction, and an onstage prompter. Gender-fluid casting (just like in Ye Olde Shakespearean Days) is the norm.

To sum up the plot: Leontes thinks Hermione is stepping out with Polixenes. Hermione’s not. Hermione dies (or not). Their child Perdita is abandoned (or not). Turns out Hermione doesn’t and Perdita’s not. Autolicus cons. Leontes repents. Perdita marries a prince. Everyone lives happily ever after. Except for Antigonus. Antigonus gets eaten by a bear.

The Original Practice Shakespeare Festival performs all 25 plays in its repertory over the summer at 11 different Portland parks, with no admission fee. The company of skilled, flexible actors will perform with occasional interruptions of songs, dances and sketches. Shows usually begin at 7 p.m. and the audience is welcome to arrive during the hour before to watch dance and fight rehearsals. Children and leashed dogs are welcome. Picnic meals are encouraged. To see the complete summer schedule, visit www.opsfest.org.