The Tale of Cymbeline
JOIN US AT OUR SUMMER HOME IN ELLICOTT CITY!
JUNE 12 – JULY 19
Forbidden love, mistaken identities, banishment, and a magic potion—The Tale of Cymbeline follows Princess Imogen of Britain on a quest for reconciled love. In her ascension from despair to heroism, she brings redemption to a kingdom ruled by chaos. Rarely performed, this mesmerizing play showcases Shakespeare’s mastery of storytelling, characters, and poetry.
AS ALWAYS, KIDS GET IN FREE!*
*Up to two free youth tickets per paying adult. Subject to availability.
Free Shakespeare for kids is made possible by
The John E. and Sue M. Jackson Charitable Trust
Synopsis
Once Upon A Time..
Cymbeline, King of Britain (when Augustus Caesar was Emperor of Rome), has a daughter, Imogen, and two sons who were stolen in infancy. Cymbeline's second wife has a son, Cloten, whom Cymbeline wants Imogen to marry; but she has secretly married a commoner, Posthumus Leonatus.
The Wager
Cymbeline banishes Posthumus to Rome, where he meets Iachimo, who wagers with him that he can seduce Imogen. Arriving in Britain, Iachimo realises that she is incorruptible, but, hiding in her bedroom, obtains false evidence which convinces Posthumus that he has won the wager.
The Disguise
Posthumus orders his servant Pisanio to kill Imogen at Milford Haven, but instead Pisanio advises her to disguise herself as Fidele, a page. In Wales, she meets her brothers, who were stolen twenty years before by the banished nobleman Belarius. Cloten pursues Imogen to Wales in Posthumus' clothes, determined to take her and kill Posthumus. Instead, Cloten is killed by one of Imogen's brothers, and his decapitated body is laid beside Imogen, who has taken a potion that makes her appear dead.
Invasion
When she revives, Imogen/Fidele joins the Roman army, which is invading Britain as a result of Cymbeline's failure to pay tribute to Rome. Posthumus and the stolen princes are instrumental in defeating the Roman army. A final scene of explanations leads to private and public reconciliation.
Lovingly adapted from The Royal Shakespeare Company
CAST
Imogen – Fabiolla da Silva
Posthumus/Cloten – Joshua Williams*
Cymbeline/Storyteller – Samuel Richie*
Iachimo/Storyteller – Lizzi Albert*
Pisanio/Storyteller – Abel Haddish
Belaria/Queen – Ali Haas
Guiderius/William – Lloyd Marcus*
Arviragus/Adrian – Luke Douglas
Caius Lucius/Helen/ Cornelius/Storyteller – Elana Michelle*
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Ben Lambert
Production Manager & Rehearsal Stage Manager – Lauren Engler*
Production Stage Manager – Colin Maher
Assistant Stage Manager – Ilana Mongilio
Set & Lighting Design – Dan O'Brien*
Costume Design – Hannah Brill
Props Artisan – Dawn Thomas Reidy* and Lauren Engler*
Sound Designer – Chris Lane
Music Director – Grace Srinivasan*
Fight Director – Jenny Male
Dialect/Text/Vocal Coach – Emily Erickson
Dramaturg – Abraham Stoll
Production Associate – Dawn Thomas Reidy*
Technical Director – Dan O'Brien*
Tech Manager – Cameron Luther
*CSC Company Member
FAMILY FUNDAY
Sundays are our Family Fun Days, with pre-show activities for all ages including crafts and storytime, beginning at 5:30pm. Picnics welcome! Use our folding chairs or bring your blanket.
PERFORMANCES
Take a Virtual Tour of Our Summer Home
Contact The Box Office:
By Phone: 410-244-8570
By Email: boxoffice@chesapeakeshakespeare.com
CSC Box Office is open for business!
Tues - Fri from 10am - 4pm