Cymbeline
Romance is not dead, it is alive and well in the verdant hills of Topanga Canyon where Theatricum Botanicum kicks off its summer season with passion and intrigue in Shakespeare’s Tragicomedy that is sure to please those new and familiar to this later work.
Using all the elements of folklore, symbolism and a touch of history for the titled character, the king, Cymbeline, (loosely taken from Holinshed’s “Chronicles of England”) Shakespeare’s plot is a thoroughly engrossing sort of fairy tale for grownups. Somewhat similar in the mystical, erotic tone of the Sanskrit drama “The Recognition of Sakuntala” by Kalidasa, Shakespeare incorporates the significant evidence of union with a ring as a bargaining chip to prove a wife’s honor and a bracelet to signify her assumed disloyalty. Both victims of trickery, they endure much suffering as Romans threaten to invade the British court. By the end of the play, the lovers reunited, the trickster exposed, and peace between Britain and Rome is harmoniously forged.
Director Ellen Geer beautifully stages fantastic tableaus particularly with the power play between the Romans and Cymbeline, stoically played by Thad Geer with his rich, baritone booming voice. Using the stage to its fullest capacity, Geer demonstrates a keen eye for designating the action and various locales of the court, Philario’s home in Rome, Imogen’s bedchamber and the cavernous dwelling and forest home of Cymbeline’s abducted twin children. The spiraling footpaths leading to the stage provide an exquisite entry for the dazzling sword fighting between the Romans and British soldiers tightly choreographed by Stuart Rogers with slow motion sequences to appreciate the action in its entirety.
The cast is splendid, but at times a bit too comic as much of the darker aspects are absent in this production. Willow Geer is winsome and light as the King’s headstrong daughter Imogen, but lacks a certain sense of conviction to make her secret marriage against her father’s wishes believable. In the second act disguised as a page, Willow Geer comes into her own, bearing a startling similarity to her role as Rosalind in last year’s lovely production of “As You Like It.” Of the cast, the one who takes full advantage of comic relief is Jeff Wiesen as the vainglorious Cloten with all his fastidious airs. Earnestine Phillips is deeply moving as the nursemaid, Belarius, to Cymbeline’s twins, and Gerald Rivers is earnest and sincere as the loyal servant Pisanio.
Special kudos goes to Aaron Hendry as the wickedly sensual Iachimo. More mischievous than malevolent, Hendry holds the audience in the palm of his hand and charms the pants off them much as brusquely as his character toys with his enraptured playthings.
For those who have forgotten that romance still exists, there is no better place to go and see it thriving than in the crown jewel of Topanga Canyon, Theatricum Botanicum’s heartwarming start to what promises to be a stirring season, “Cymbeline.”
“Cymbeline”
Runs through September 27
Pre-show discussion on Sunday, July 5
Roundtable discussion on Sat, June 27
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga, CA 90290
Midway between PCH & the 101
PH: 310-455-3723
www.theatricum.com