CYMBELINE

REVIEW by Russell Blackaller

Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, Box Office 0844 800 1110

I MUST admit that I felt apprehensive about going to see the latest RSC production of Cymbeline.

It is one of Shakespeare’s rarely performed plays and some of the reviews were not good. I was expecting a long and challenging evening.

However, it was quite the opposite; easy to follow, beautiful to watch, engaging to listen to and an inspiring journey into the unknown.

Director, Melly Still, has made bold decisions, changing the gender of five key characters, most notably Cymbeline, who in this production is Queen of Britain.

The setting is equally bold – a post Brexit Britain, where society is in decline.

Ancient Rome becomes Brussels and there are several references to how dangerous our island becomes when we isolate ourselves from Europe.

It is difficult to believe Shakespeare wrote the anti-union line, “We will not pay for wearing our noses!”

Cymbeline’s reference to Caesar – “My youth I spent much time under him” – also takes on a new meaning.

Whilst the ‘Britain in decline’ setting creates many dark and philosophical moments, the production is predominantly humorous and romantic. This is achieved through enabling the audience to relate to the characters and see them as fallible and emotional, just like us.

Kelly William’s very human portrayal of the servant Pisania is particularly noteworthy, as is Graham Turner’s lovable interpretation of the banished lord, Belarius.

It is a pity that the leading pair, Innogen (Bethan Cullinane) and Posthumus (Hiran Abeysekera) do not have great chemistry.

They both give marvellous performances, but they seem to be on different pages and their acting styles are strangely at odds.

However, this is an imaginative take on a wacky text, beautifully seamed together by director Melly Still and her design team, including Dave Price, who’s music hits the spot throughout.

Well worth the trip!

  • 8 out of 10
  • Cymbeline runs in Stratford until October 15 2016