Cymbeline

[david13]

It's not absolutely a book. But it is a play, and is written, and therefore, in essence, is a book. By William Shakespeare.
And I have just finished reading it this week, in accord with my plan. My quest, begun 2 or 3 years ago.
I have also obtained the dvd of the BBC/Time/Life production from the library.
And watched that.
And tomorrow, in Topanga Canyon, at the Will Geer theater, known as Theatricum Botanicum, an outdoor theater, a live performance of the same, by a very mature, capable cast. As they always do out there, usually 2 or 3 Shakespeare each year, summer season.
I have known of the existence of the survival of the Shakespeare plays throughout my life, and did always intend to some day make an in depth study thereof.
That began 2 or 3 years ago, and involves reading the play, getting the videos or dvds which are almost always available free at the local libraries, and then going to the live play.
I am around 24 or 25 with Cymbeline tomorrow. There are 36 or 37 total, so I still have a few to go.
And I have had 5 or so repeats. And a great deal of mileage and travel to get them.
dc

[david13]

1. Thanks for the recos ... but ... no comments? Oh well. I went

yesterday, and saw the play.
Gasp.
Imogen. I've seen her before out there. High, raspy, squeeky, scratchy, screeching voice. Oh, rasping horrors.
And the king, I've seen him before out there. What horrid accent I can't identify. Tennessee, Texas, crawdaddy, drawl, I can't place it, but it makes his Shakespeare sound like drunken oatmeal, or I guess that should be grits, no?
But there were good Pisanio, Iacomo, and Cloten. Cloten was too good. Not that belieavable as the fop that Cloten was intended to be. He just had too much savoire faire for the role.
And way too abbreviated of a performance. Of course, for live performance they are all abbreviated, but this was the shortest I have ever seen of a good or professional quality performance.
Less than 2 hours.
So, so so is my rating.
Good stage direction, good lighting, good setting (theater outdoors, small enough 200 seats?) good costumes.
dc

[david13]

2. I suppose I should also mention, since I am going to watch the

BBC/Time/Life dvd again, that Cymbeline is a complicated, convoluted, and intricate story. A lot of pieces jumbled together, perhaps too much.
And a little rough in the putting together. So not one of the smoothest of Shakespeare works.
dc