One of William Shakespeare’s wildest, most romantic and least-known plays will arrive at Rock Ledge Ranch this summer when Theatreworks stages “Cymbeline” in its festival tent, Aug. 1-24.
“Cymbeline” was written late in the bard’s career and plays like Shakespeare’s greatest hits. There is passionate young love, sudden jealousy, epic travel, magic potions, a famous dirge, and an extraordinary last scene featuring no fewer than 24 plot revelations. There is the usual Shakespeare galaxy of fabulous characters, including one of his most charming heroines, a dangerous clown, a loyal servant, a henpecked king, an Italian seducer, a wicked queen, three rustic mountaineers, and last but not least, the great god Jupiter, riding in on an eagle.
“It’s just a crazy, beautiful play,” said Murray Ross, artistic director, Theaterworks, who has wanted to stage it for years. “The play is set in ancient Britain, Renaissance Italy and far-off Wales. It’s part dream, part epic, part history, part tragedy, part comedy and part fairy tale—and all the parts add up to one mysterious and delightful whole. Our audiences are in for a great ride.”
While quite popular for many years, and a great favorite among Victorians, “Cymbeline” went out of fashion during the last century, and is only now enjoying a happy revival in Shakespeare festivals across the world. It is one of Shakespeare’s most theatrical plays, and Theatreworks will offer a streamlined version featuring a cast of 10 playing nearly 30 characters.
“They won’t have a single dull moment,” Ross says, “and neither will our audiences.”
“Cymbeline plays nightly at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Aug. 1-24 at Rock Ledge Ranch on the west side of Colorado Springs. Seating is limited in the intimate 180-seat tent, and reservations for the popular festival are strongly recommended. For tickets and further information, visit www.theatreworkscs.org or call the box office 255-3232.
Reserved seats are $35, seats for children less than 16 years old are $15. Children less than 5 years old will not be admitted.
A limited number of free ticket vouchers are available at the Pikes Peak Library District and the Rock Ledge Ranch Gift Shop. Vouchers can be redeemed by calling the box office, 255-3232.
Special Events
- A prologue lecture featuring John Douglas Thompson, one of the greatest Shakespearean actors in America, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Centennial Hall Auditorium.
- Shakespeare in the garden. At 6 p.m. Aug 4, Theaterworks will be in the ForestEdge Gardens in Black Forest. Dinner, wine, scenes from “Cybmeline” and sonnets performed by John Douglas Thompson are planned. Tickets are $85. Space is limited. Reservations required.
For more information about special events, call 255-3232.
— Caitlin Green, Theaterworks
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