Cymbeline

Secret House’s production of Cymbeline at The Depot Theatre was a vibrant, robust, exciting rendition of Shakespeare’s rarely performed play. Great direction by Sean O’Riorden and brilliant ensemble acting by the cast.

Shakespeare took the title and setting from the British King Cymbeline (Cunobelinus), who reigned until just after the birth of Christ. Shakespeare used some of the characters and ideas from early British history.

Imogen (Jane Angharad) is the daughter of Cymbeline (Roger Smith), who has married a ‘poor but worthy gentleman’ Posthumus Leonatus (Alexander Brown). Cymbeline ,disapproving of her marriage, banishes Posthumus to Rome, where upon he wagers his wife’s chastity with another gentleman who tries to woo her to win the wager. Cymbeline is married to an evil second queen (Celia Kelly), who has a son Cloten (Tom Coyne), whom she wishes to place on the throne instead of her husband Cymbeline. During this time an old man, Belarius (Dave Kirkham), has brought up two of Cymbeline’s sons, Guiderius (Keturah Sheen) and Arviragus (Alison Benstead) in Wales.

The set used wooden pallets fixed to the walls of the theatre, with a balcony facing diagonally across the stage. The scenes were also played out above the set on the balcony and below. It was a rustic fairy tale setting such as one would see in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as were the costumes, beautifully designed by Angelika Nieweglowski, reminiscent of Game of Thrones. Wooden pallets were also used by the cast on stage to set the different scenes, as in a chess game, being moved into different positions by the cast. This was a brilliant use of the pallets as they kept the audience interested in the scene changes, as the pace was fast and furious. All the cast were excellent in their roles, particularly stand out performances by Deborah An (Cornelius/ Helen), Jane Angharad (Imogen), Dave Kirkham (Belarius) and Keturah Sheen (Guiderius). An interesting, wonderful production of Shakespeare’s play.

Charlotte Hanson