Cymbeline at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

A rare find for Shakespeare collectors, Cymbeline returns to the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with vim and vigour.

The Roman Empire is angry that Britain has not been paying her dues and war is imminent. Meanwhile, Cymbeline, the Queen, does not approve of her daughter’s marriage to Posthumous and so banishes Posthumous to Italy. Here Posthumous makes a bet with a man that her wife’s love is honourable and he will not be able to seduce her. This bet becomes a catalyst for deception, revenge and violence, along with a plethora of Shakespearian tropes such as misunderstandings, disguises and big reveals.

This particular version swaps some genders around, making Cymbeline a queen instead of a king. Posthumous is a wife instead of a husband and her attendant Pisanio then becomes Pisania. This altogether creates a female-led cast that feels just right for this play, theming it around a powerful matriarchal dynasty.

It is still debated today whether Cymbeline should be defined as a tragedy or a comedy, with strong elements of both. While previous adaptations have tried to focus on a single genre, this one is determined to keep hold of it all, one minute gripped in gut-wrenching pain and the next throwing out laughs. This gives it a completeness, but doesn’t help to streamline the Bard’s fourth longest play.

There’s not a single weak link in the cast but some shine very bright: Martina Laird as Cymbeline, Gabrielle Brooks as Innogen and Nadi Kemp-Sayfi as Posthumous are a powerful trio and each brings real weight to their role.

The show is accompanied by expertly performed music that adds great depth throughout, though on occasion, that music is found stealing attention rather than guiding it, pulling focus away from important monologues with unnecessary performance.

Cymbeline is a good show in a great theatre. As one of Shakespeare’s more complex and messy plots, it is perhaps not the best choice for those new to his works but this version does well to create a deeply watchable show.

Jim Compton-Hall
Photos: Marc Brenner

Cymbeline is at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from 22^nd January until 20^th April 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.