King Cymbeline ruled a large chunk of Celtic Britain 2,000 years ago. The Roman Empire had invaded the island a few years before, but had withdrawn. Now the Roman superpower was threatening to invade again, with even greater force. It was an anxious time for the British Celts, made worse by trouble at the British court. The King was distracted from affairs of state by an affair much closer to home: his daughter Imogen, the sole heir to the throne, had fallen in love with a young man not fit, said the king, to be the future ruler of his domains. Yes, he was a valued warrior, this Leonatus, but he was not of royal blood, and no commoner could hope to keep the country together. Leonatus is banished from Britain, leaving a distraught princess and a king dangerously vulnerable to enemies at home and abroad.
Cymbeline has been called “more intense than Romeo and Juliet,” and Shakespeare’s “forgotten masterpiece.” It’s been forgotten for a reason: the original script is 4½ hours long. On the rare occasions when it’s performed in modern times, it’s always heavily edited. Bowen’s version of the play, to be performed here next month, is very heavily edited. Two years ago islanders watched a sell-out production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, which ran for one hour and fifteen minutes. Bowen’s Cymbeline will run for an hour and twenty minutes.
Graham Ritchie edited both plays.
“It’s still Shakespeare’s language, but the subplots are gone. They barely made sense anyway and most audiences went away confused. The Bowen version is a single storyline: direct, fast and powerful.”
The Bowen cast has been rehearsing since November and Ritchie says it’s coming together well. “They’re a strong cast and the play works. It’s going to be a substantial theatre experience.”
Cymbeline is playing at Cates Hill Chapel at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday February 19th, Friday February 20th, and Saturday February 21st. Tickets are cash or cheque $20 at the library.
