THEATRE REVIEWS

Forget the name and what it means to you, for this is a Kneehigh production and the onslaught of Shakespeare will be relentless. No fear, for you will be kept up to date as to what is going on by a lady from Spain. You will also learn a lot that you did not realise before, so your visit to the theatre will have been worth while as well as very entertaining.

It will be pointless to try and explain what is going on for the whole thing is an experience. Most of Shakespeare's work follows the same theme so you do not have to completely understand what is set before you to appreciate and enjoy. The actors are superb at their craft and the director knows his job. So let's name them. The programme will be of little use in recognising the cast for the photographs were taken in their childhood, which is probably where they are in this play. Hayley Carmichael plays Imogen, Carl Grose is Posthumus, Graig Johnson plays Cloten and Dominic Lawton is Brother. Now for the rest, Róbert Luckay is Iachimo, Amanda Lawrence the Queen, Mike Shepherd plays Cymbeline and Kirsty Woodward is Pisanio. Marcello Magni gives us the voice of Caesar and then you have to try and work out what other characters they are playing. Great fun doing this.

Now for the music, for we have musicians who can play real instruments and their names are Stu Barker, Pete Judge, Dominic Lawton and Alex Vann. They play and accompany the vocals by the cast. The main thing is they are very worth listening to. Fine work.

Emma Rice is Artistic Director and gives form to the chaos that writer Carl Grose has made of William Shakespeare. The set, designed by Micael Vale, is a wire cage that is climbed on, worked within, opened and used as a balcony.

Do not miss this experience of live experimental theatre at its best. It is worth travelling miles to see Shakespeare as you have never seen him before. Great fun. Refreshing change. © BA

“Cymbeline” is in Leeds on the 10th October until the 14th October, 2006 then continues on tour. Council car parking charge £1 from 5.30pm until 10pm. This is now a No Smoking theatre.