Cymbeline

Synopsis

Imogen marries Posthumus against her father's wishes. Posthumous is exiled and while there told that he has lost his bet that his wife would be faithful. He plots a jealous reunion and revenge. Unaware, Imogene travels to meet him but after some strange occurrences she gets into disguise as a man - in a drugged sleep in a cave with a man and his two sons she awakes next to a headless corpse.

Our Review:

Dave Jordan - 13 October 2009

Brendan O’Hea directs this NYT production with assurance and flair, turning what is considered by some to be one of Shakespeare's late 'problem' plays into an atmospheric production full of subtlety and humour that makes it accessible to all in this tautly-trimmed version.

Based on Celtic legends and a bit of borrowing from Boccacio's Decameron Shakespeare weaves a tale that is fraught with the fanciful and makes it a romantic tragi-comedy. It is a play that echoes earlier characters and themes of innocence and jealousy: Cymbeline, King of England, furious on discovering that his daughter Imogen has secretly married her childhood friend and first love, Posthumus, banishes the new groom, thus setting in motion a steadily darkening tale of betrayal, murder and mistaken identity.

This highly charged production has a unity rarely seen; with its simple set of plain drapes and a cracked floor design that works well as both pavé and...

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Latest User Review

David Baxter - 21 October 2009:

Cymbeline is regarded as a notoriously difficult play so the NYT have done remarkably well to adapt a coherent version which rattles along for less than two hours. For a young and non-professional company most of the acting is very good; I was particularly impressed with Catriona Cahill's beautiful ice queen and Ned Derrington as Pisanio. Will Edelston reminded me of Rory Kinnear in his younger OTT days and although Rose Sansom would be few people's idea of a fairy tale princess she made for a feist Imogen. The production values were excellent and it was exciting to see such a young and inexperienced cast deliver such a good version of one of Shakespeare's most challenging plays. ...

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