A Shakespearean Fairy Tale (Kentucky Shakespeare Festival)
Jul 7
3 min read
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136
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Cymbeline
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Matt Wallace
Review by Lan Nguyen-Colgate
Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Lan Nguyen-Colgate. All rights reserved.
Cymbeline is the final main stage production for Kentucky Shakespeare’s 2025 season. The show was last staged 43 years ago. One of Shakespeare’s lesser known plays, Cymbeline is a complicated mix of genres. Its plot is full of twists and turns, good versus evil, a test of true love, with a touch of political intrigue mixed in. While the term “tragicomedy” is often used to describe it, Director, Matt Wallace, chooses a different descriptor: “fairy-tale.”
A large, stone castle is the primary set piece, complete with brightly topped towers and arching, Gothic windows. Placed in the center is a large storybook on which the cover reads: “The Tale of Cymbeline.” The narrator, Mary Baunjoko, opens the book, beginning the story, set “once upon a time” in Ancient Britain. Melancholy music played onstage by cellist and composer Wayne Krigger accompanies the words. The audience is introduced to the history of the heroes and villains. King Cymbeline has three children. Two sons, who were kidnapped at birth, and a daughter, Imogen. Imogen has married her love, Posthumous Leonatus in secret, and when their relationship is revealed Posthumous is banished to Rome. Imogen navigates the treachery of her step-mother, the Queen, and refuses the advances of the Queen’s son, Cloten. After receiving a letter from Posthumous, Imogen embarks on an adventure to reunite with him.
Imogen, played by Sasha Cifuentes, is the heart of the story. Cifuentes enchants the audience with her wit and vivacity. Zachary Burrell charms as her paramour, Posthumous. Together they form the picture of a Disney fairy-tale romance, and one can’t help but be torn when their love is challenged. A hallmark of fairy-tales is extreme good versus extreme evil. Abigail Maupin is deliciously bad in her role as Imogen’s wicked step-mother, the evil queen. Neill Robertson plays Cloten, her son and co-conspirator.
When sharing the stage, these two steal the show with their over the top antics: cackling over devious plans and exchanging affectionate cheek kisses. Less humorous, but equally villainous is Gregory Maupin in the role of Iachimo–a Roman noble who makes a bet with Posthumous about Imogen’s fidelity. Maupin carefully toes the line between a cartoonish villain and extreme creeper.
The costumes, designed by Donna Lawrence-Downs, highlight the fantasy elements and dualities within the show. Outfits are saturated with colors. Design and materials imply the nature of the wearers. The evil-doers stand out in extravagant clothing with bold accessories. The Queen’s dark floral gown with a dramatic red collar is particularly stunning. Cloten appears hilariously infantile wearing a blonde pageboy wig with a pale blue velvet doublet and poofy pants. In contrast, the moral protagonists are found in
simpler silhouettes and lighter fabrics. Imogen resembles a peasant in a simple skirt and top. Only a gold embroidered vest and simple pearl headband indicate her status.
Cymbeline is a wild play with multiple plot-lines that eventually converge. Wallace expertly manages them all. His creative fairy-tale theme is the perfect way to bring this show to a contemporary audience. Combining multiple supporting characters into a single narrator, helped to streamline the story. Live music accompanying the characters, detailed costumes, and the simple, colorful storybook images, evoke the feeling of stepping into an animated fantasy adventure. Cymbeline features the best elements
of fairy-tales including: adventure in far-off places, daring sword fights, and a princess in disguise. There are some “grimm” moments in this story, but the darkness never stays. Goodness triumphs over evil; love and justice prevail. This show is pure delight from start to finish. Don’t miss your chance to experience this “happily ever after.”
Cymbeline
Part of Kentucky Shakespeare’s Festival in Central Park
July 3, 5, 6; 8-13; 17, 20, 24, 27 @8:00 p.m. (no performances on Monday or Tuesdays)
C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheatre in Old Louisville's Central Park
1340 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40208
