Cymbeline: The Puppet King
The Actor’s Gang 4th Annual Free Summer-in-the-Park production of “Cymbeline” is a wonderful opportunity to expose children to the magical world of Shakespeare in a lovely outdoor setting perfect for a picnic. Performed in the charming gazebo outside the Actor’s Gang theatre, massive trees surround the space providing plenty of shade and relaxing ambiance.
Children will enjoy the fanciful reimagining of Shakespeare’s play that has all the quintessential elements of a classic fairy tale: a bumbling king, an evil stepmother, magic potions, great escapes and a brave princess disguised as a boy. The adapted story is easily digestible for younger audiences, but full of adorable sight gags, physical comedy, and contemporary puns to keep the parents laughing, too.
The Actor’s Gang maximizes every detail with considerable attention to spectacle, music and sound effects for a fully entertaining show. Clever props and puppets add stimulating visual elements, particularly the head-dressed wolves and the walk on thrones that shadow behind the royals every move. Simple but effective costumes provide easy and necessary changes especially when Imogen transforms herself as a boy. Zany antics by King Cymbeline, screwball fight scenes and Cloten the Rotten’s belching abilities are just some of the more hilarious moments in this reimagined farce. Creative adaptation smoothly incorporates Elizabethan dialogue with contemporary speech, making the play easier to follow for untrained ears, while still maintaining the play’s integrity.
A first-rate cast further enhances the clear direction. Energetic performances captivate the younger audiences and a few asides for the adults keeps this from becoming a “kiddie” show. Children will appreciate watching their peers perform in minor, but vital roles with self-assurance and ease. The cast gives memorable turns, with Steven M. Porter holding court as the daft puppet king, Cymbeline.
There are few opportunities to enjoy the rare privilege of a high quality free production in this city, let alone a show geared for families in a natural setting. It is worth mentioning that while a good number of people attended at the start of the show, quite a few passerby’s wandered over for a moment only to stay until the very end. Before summer is over, treat yourself, your friends and family to a special community event hosted by The Actor’s Gang that educates and encourages a love of the theatre for people of all ages.
Runs through August 30
Saturdays and Sundays at 11am
9070 Venice Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232