Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival gives the “extreme Shakespeare” treatment to the Bard’s “Cymbeline” resulting in a somewhat raucous but ultimately satisfying production.
PSF’s boisterous “Cymbeline” is on stage through Aug. 4 in the Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley.
The play is being produced for the first time in PSF’s 33 years, and marks the festival’s 30th play produced in Shakespeare’s canon.
“Cymbeline” is presented in the festival’s “Extreme Shakespeare” style, with actors rehearsing the way it is believed Shakespeare's company would have. Actors arrive with their lines learned, rehearse on their own without a director, raid the costume shop and open in a matter of a few days.
Eric Hissom plays King Cymbeline, the Roman Empire’s vassal king of Britain, as a stately but cruelly is hilariously authoritarian ruler, under the thumb of his malevolent second wife.
There is a lot of to unpack in the convoluted text and this production assists the audience with a helpful bit of narration. The play, written towards the end of Shakespeare's career, feels a bit like every plot point the Bard had ever written was mashed together for the play, so the is a somewhat chaotic feel to the proceedings, but it all comes together neatly in the end.
Cymbeline is father to the princess Imogen, who has married the honorable but lowly-born Posthumus. In a fit of rage, Cymbeline banishes Posthumus to the agony of the distraught Imogen. Meanwhile his new queen would prefer Imogen marry her foolish son Cloten to secure his place on the throne.
Taysha Marie Canales’ Imogen is the heart of the show and she makes the character valiant, honest, loyal, and determined, whether as princess or disguised as a man.
Hassiem Muhammad’s Posthumus is proud and engaging, despite giving in to his worst impulses.
As the scheming queen, Kimberly Gilbert deliciously channels every evil Disney stepmother, while, as her son Cloten, Akeem Davis is hilariously arrogant, loud and foolish.
Ian Merrill Peakes is slightly unsettling as the conniving lothario, Iachimo, who creepily sneaks into Imogen’s bedchamber to convince Posthumus she is unfaithful.
Meanwhile in Wales, the disguised Imogen is taken in by the cave-dwelling Belarius, who is given gruff compassion by Anthony Lawton.
Eli Lynn and David Pica are appealing as the kind but rough-around-the-edges long-lost sons of Cymbeline, who have been raised as woodsmen by Belarius.
Karen Peakes is noble and resourceful as faithful servant Pisano.
The talented cast also includes Lee Baud, Tyler Borneo, Gregory Isaac, Abby Jeanne, Iyanu Joshuasville, Ciara Kelley, Christian Tuffy, Jabari C. Williams, Giovanni Marini and Fiona Wilson.
The backdrop of trees which is shared with the children’s production of “Winnie-the-Pooh & Friends” works particularly well in the scenes in Wales.
There is intermittent music performed by the cast which adds a pleasing melodic touch to the show.
Meet the actors for a talk-back after the show Aug. 1.
This production will include the free “Prologues,” insights into the play in an informal setting held in the theater 45 minutes prior to curtain.
There will be an audio described and open captioned performance at 2 p.m. Aug. 3.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. July 31, Aug. 1 and 2; 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 3; 2 p.m. July 29 and Aug. 4; and 6:30 p.m. July 30.
Tickets are $47 for adults; $44 for seniors and $41 for youths.
For information, call 610-282-9455, or go to pashakespeare.org/