Cymbeline

Kneehigh Theatre in association with the RSC present Cymbeline.
Co-commissioned by Nottingham County Council STAGES
Directed and freely adapted by Emma Rice, written by Carl Grose.
Inspired by William Shakespeare.

Cymbeline is a King. Imogen, his only daughter, has married against his wishes and he has banished her new husband, Postumus, from Court. Cymbeline's second wife is simply wicked, as is her son Cloten who wishes that he had married Imogen. To complicate things further, Cymbeline had two sons who were kidnapped at birth. Never has confusion been so pleasurable and surprising!

This wild, giddy and elemental production will see Kneehigh marry comedy to tragedy. They will dance through misunderstandings, intimacies, betrayals and battles with heart-stopping poetry, electrifying live music and characteristic madness. With more twists and turns than a Cornish lane, this promises to be a white-knuckle ride...

‘Purists will swoon and scrupulous school teachers will grind their teeth at the bonkers liberties taken. Take a deep breath and go with the zany flow, though.... the most bracing fun to be had in Stratford bar a dunking in the Avon... Few companies combine such ensemble zest with so much individual truth - the RSC couldn't and shouldn't ape such sacrilege, but can learn a trick or two from them'.

Daily Telegraph

‘Funny, racy, clever and startlingly realistic'.

The British Theatre Guide