Portland Center Stage

Richard Wattenberg | The Oregonian [Review 15 Feb 2012]

“Cymbeline” isn’t one of Shakespeare’s most popular works, but this rather unwieldy fun-filled romance, history, fairy tale of a play does seem to be having a kind of renaissance in the Northwest.

Having been performed last spring at Northwest Classical Theatre Company and slated for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2013 season, it is now being lovingly revisited by Portland Center Stage in a form that is both accessible and entertaining.

Penelope Bass | Willamette Week [Review 15 Feb 2012]

It just wouldn’t be Shakespeare without a little sexual subterfuge. Though it’s one of his lesser-known tales, Cymbeline employs many of the playwright’s favorite plot devices—mistaken identity, forbidden love, girls disguised as boys, scheming queens, betrayal, beheadings, etc.

But Portland Center Stage’s new production, Shakespeare’s Amazing Cymbeline, presents a show stripped down to its barest elements with a cast of only six actors performing on the sparsest of sets. In addition to the minimalism, director Chris Coleman’s adaptation includes a third-party narrator on the piano (Michael G. Keck). A congenial fellow reminiscent of Sam in Casablanca, the narrator presents Cymbeline through his own eyes, serving both to clarify the more complex scenes and offer his interpretation of the story’s theme of love betrayed.

Kinsley Suer [PCS Blog Comment]

Hi Richard,

Kinsley from PCS again! I just heard from the scenic designer of Shakespeare’s Amazing Cymbeline, Alan Schwanke. The set sounds absolutely amazing (and we’re so excited to share it with our patrons!), but I wanted to clarify the information about it that I provided in my earlier comment.

While it is true that the costumes and the language of our adaptation will remain true to our original, the set and the lighting of the piece will reflect a more modern tone - “modern” in comparison to the original time period of the piece, A.D. 1, but dated by 2012 standards.

Here’s what Alan had to say about his design:

The space has been designed to evoke imagery of an ancient ruin but it is still rooted in the world of the “piano player” character, which is something akin to an abandoned industrial warehouse or factory.  We have concrete floors with crumbling walls and a large hanging grid skylight. Flanking the space will be large pipe walls covered in hanging plastic.  Plus, there is a piano right in the middle of everything.

We’re especially excited about this production because it will be the first time that the stage in the Ellyn Bye Studio has been converted into a diamond shape, in the middle of the studio.

Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any additional questions. Hope to see you at the show!

- Kinsley Suer, PCS

Kinsley Suer [PCS Blog Comment]

Thanks so much for your interest, Eric! For more information about volunteering, please email Robyn Hodges, PCS Volunteer Coordinator, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Thanks so much,

Kinsley Suer, PCS

Eric Clanton [PCS Blog Comment]

I’m interested in volunteering to help out during this show since my schedule will allow it at the time. Thank you, Eric

Al [PCS Blog Comment]

Thank you for keeping Cymbeline true to the period and costumes.  While Shakespeare can be adapted to other time periods, this rarely seen play would be better performed in the time period intended.  I have rejoined PCS after many years; I stopped going when a “famous” director from LA changed the end of Measure for Measure.