Cymbeline; Best Shakespeare of the 2012 Stratford Shakespeare Festival Season

A few weeks ago marked our third visit this year to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Leaving at the crack of dawn, we headed up to see the last of the Shakespeare plays put on this season; Cymbeline. It was just by  pictures of the cast and short synopsis in the season guide that I had first wanted to see this lesser-known Shakespeare play. I knew nothing about it and only recognized the female lead who played Maria from last years fantastic production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Walking into the theater I did not know what to expect, but in the end I was glad I had pressured my parents to go. Out of the three Shakespeare productions put on by the Festival this year, it was no surprise to find Cymbeline its crown jewel.

Many elements made this production memorable. Put on in the Tom Patterson Theater, one of five theaters that put on Stratfords productions each season, it can be a challenging theater when it comes to staging. With only the long runway stage, two exit/entrance aisles and two sets of stairs on the second level in the center of the audience, the actors always seem to be running around and coming from every which way. Because of its unique stage, Patterson provides audience members a unique theater experience that usually puts them right in the middle of the action. Cymbeline was no different and I found myself personally involved throughout the entire play. The cast made good use of the stairs and two aisles especially: walking within audience reach or sneaking up and reciting a line from behind another. Along with its unique stage, the sets of Cymbeline were simple yet beautiful. I was especially wowed by the green curtain that hung above the stage, at first tattered in Cymbeline's palace and later spread to become a tree as the story moved into the forest. The stage and set were only the beginning of what made Cymbeline one of the best productions this 2012 season.


The real marvel of the production was the cast. I was surprised that Cymbeline demands actors who can be evil one minute and then have a remarkable change of heart the next, providing a true acting challenge. The entire cast was flawless and couldn't have been any better. Geraint Wyn Davies (King Cymbeline), Cara Ricketts (Innogen) and Graham Abbey (Posthumus) were incredible in their staring roles and supported by an equally incredible cast. It's quite uncommon now for me to look at a program and not recognize someone that I've seen in a past Stratford play or musical. I was especially excited when John Vickery (Belarius) took the stage and spoke for the first time. I immediately recognized Vickery's voice from his breathtaking performance at Titus himself in last years production of Titus Andronicus, and I was beyond thrilled to be watching him once again. The entire cast was magnificent and made Cymbeline a true joy to watch.


Cymbeline has now been checked off our list along with all the other Shakespeare's put on this season. As we head back up to Stratford this Thursday to see Wilder's The Matchmaker and hopefully later in August to see Sophocles' Elektra, we will always be reminded of Cymbeline and amazed at what a wonderful trip to Canada it turned out to be.