UI students modernize Shakespeare’s ‘Cymbeline’
The posters are everywhere.
Long hair draped over one shoulder, a cardboard crown and a smile hidden behind a finger mustache. Park Williams thinks it’s funny.
Nathan Romans | Rawr
Cast members of the University of Idaho Theatre Arts perform a dress rehersal of William Shakespear’s “Cymbeline” adapted for a contemporary audience by director Matt Foss.
Williams, a senior theater student at the University of Idaho, posed for the picture as her character Imogen from the Shakespeare play “Cymbeline.”
“(Imogen) cross dresses to escape her pursuers,” Williams said. “We tried to represent that in the picture.”
Matt Foss, theater professor and director for “Cymbeline,” said the story is kind of a fairy tale about star-crossed lovers, epic battles and has a “Princess Bride” feel to it. Foss said the plot isn’t changing in their contemporary rendition of the play, but he and his fellow directors have edited it down from three and a half hours to two hours, as well as streamlined some of the action.
“It’s kind of all (Shakespeare’s) tricks in one play,” Williams said.
The play takes place in Italy, Britain and part of Wales, but the directors have contemporized the time period. Williams said one of the characters, Philaria, is a club owner and wears a loose kimono-type shirt. Williams’ character, Imogen, will wear a collared dress, and while cross-dressing has a hoodie, beanie, cargo pants and boots.
Nathan Romans | Rawr
Cast members of the University of Idaho Theatre Arts perform a dress rehersal of William Shakespear’s “Cymbeline” adapted for a contemporary audience by director Matt Foss.
Another part of the play that will be different from the original is the stage design. Masters of fine arts student Courtney Smith will do live scenic design. The backdrop of the play is a big piece of fabric that the actors manipulate and move. The scenery is projected onto the fabric. Smith said some of it is pre-drawn and he just shades it in or adds details live.
“I am actively participating in creating the world,” Smith said. “We’re in this position that we can change if something doesn’t work.”
Smith said he will be seated up on stage with the actors, but down stage and off to the side so as not to distract from the performance.
Foss said the idea came from Smith wanting to try something new, and Smith became a sort of live world creator.
“So much of Shakespeare is asking the imaginations of the audience to fil out the world, and Courtney is trying to catalyze and collaborate with our audience’s imaginations for this production,” Foss said.
Nathan Romans | Rawr
Cast members of the University of Idaho Theatre Arts perform a dress rehersal of William Shakespear’s “Cymbeline” adapted for a contemporary audience by director Matt Foss.
While “Cymbeline” is one of Shakespeare’s lesser known plays, Williams and Smith are confident it is relevant and interesting for the audience. Williams said it is a really important story to tell because it reminds people of what is important in life and portrays all of the wonderful and awful things people deal with.
“It’s a strong ensemble piece,” Foss said. “From the production, design and acting side of it, and I think the risks they are taking and what they have been learning is really paying off.”
Cymbeline will be performed in the Hartung Theatre at 7:30 p.m. May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and at 2 p.m. May 3 and 10. Tickets are $15 for general admission and free for UI students with their Vandal ID.
“We’ve put our hearts and all our energy into putting on this production, and we hope that you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed doing it ourselves,” Smith said.
Claire Whitley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cewhitley24