I had said, on several occasions before seeing this production, that if anyone could make sense of this rambling text it would be Gregory Doran.  And he has achieved exactly that in an unshowy exquisitely sculptured production.

His secret, it would seem to me, is that he has not tried to shape the play into a single, coherent whole.  But rather has taken each moment of the play and with his company has allowed it to find its own way; enabled it to breathe.  And in doing so has crafted a winding folk tale within which live a mixture of real-life characters and living archetypes.  A tale in which anything might (and does) happen because it is fabulous (I choose the word carefully.)

Naturally, WS brings the many threads together in a glorious scene of back stories, revelations, coincidences which gives the characters and us great joy.

In allowing this strange, engrossing story to find its own way, Doran has skillfully shaped it into a satisfying whole.

The story and the production have equal magic.

Amber James’ Imogen is an understated Imogen, she has the power to lead us through the story.  Ed Syer’s Posthumous is beautifully controlled.  The rest of this ensemble company are all of highest quality; clearly, they totally understand every syllable of what they say and the contribution it makes to the whole.

This is not a production of clashes, crashes and flashing lights (other than when Jupiter appears of course); it is a production that shimmers.  Unremitting beauty; unremitting joy.

Thank you, Gregory Doran, for helping me see, at last, a production of this play that makes sense.  And for the many other excellent, stunning even, productions you have given us during your time at the RSC.

Cast

Cymbeline - Peter De Jersey * Imogen - Amber James * Postumus - Ed Sayer * Pisanio - Mark Hadfield * The Queen - Alexandra Gilbreath * Cloten - Conon Glean * First Lord - Barnaby Tobias * Second Lord - Tom Chapman * Cornelius - Jake Mann * Dorothy - Marcia Lecky * Helen - Cat White * Sicilius/Philario - Keith Osborn * Iachimo - Jamie Wilkes * Frenchman - Adam Baker * Spaniard - Iwan Bond * Caius Lucius - Thoe Ogundipe * Soothsayer - Jeff Alexander * Belarius - Christian Patterson * Guiderius - Scott Gutteridge * Arviragus - Daf Thomas

Creatives

Director - Gregory Doran * Designer - Stephen Brimson Lewis * Lighting - Matt Daw * Composer - Paul Englishby * Sound - Jonathan Ruddick