Jennifer Tang’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline at London’s Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is a bold exploration of gender, family, and the enduring power of theatre in a challenging era. Tang, a champion of underrepresented voices, has infused this often-overlooked play with a modern sensibility and a diverse cast, creating a production that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. While the play’s inherent complexities are amplified by Tang’s directorial choices, the overall effect is a vibrant and engaging performance that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Tang’s most striking intervention is the gender-flipping of key characters. Cymbeline, the titular king, becomes a queen, while the Queen transforms into a Duke. This reconfiguration, while conceptually driven, occasionally hinders the narrative flow, especially for those familiar with the original text. However, the central love story between Innogen (Imogen) and a female Posthumous adds a compelling layer of queer representation to the already intricate plot. This gender fluidity extends to the play’s mythological elements, with Jupiter replaced by Gaia, the earth mother, aligning with the production’s emphasis on female power and familial relationships. While the matriarchal focus doesn’t entirely untangle the play’s convoluted narrative, it provides a fresh perspective on themes of power, loss, and reconciliation.
The production’s design further contributes to its unique atmosphere. Set in a visually ambiguous period blending ancient and modern elements, the costumes range from historically evocative to contemporary, creating a sense of timelessness that mirrors the play’s enduring themes. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse itself, a replica of a Jacobean theatre lit by candlelight, becomes an integral part of the production. The flickering candles, incorporated into the narrative as part of Cymbeline’s vigil for her lost children, enhance the play’s emotional resonance and create an intimate connection between performers and audience. This unique setting, combined with Laura Moody’s minimalist score and the evocative movement direction, further immerses the audience in the play’s world.
One of the most striking aspects of the production is its embrace of bathos and tonal shifts. The actors frequently switch between traditional Shakespearean delivery and a modern, colloquial style, creating both humorous and poignant moments. This unexpected juxtaposition highlights the timelessness of Shakespeare’s language while also injecting a contemporary sensibility into the performance. This stylistic choice, while possibly unintentional in its full comedic effect, contributes to the audience’s engagement and reinforces the play’s classification as a "problem play"—one that defies easy categorization and blends elements of tragedy, comedy, and romance. The audience’s reaction, a mixture of laughter, gasps, and tears, testifies to the production’s emotional impact and its ability to elicit a visceral response.
Tang’s personal connection to themes of adoption and foster care further informs her interpretation of Cymbeline. Having grown up in foster care herself, Tang brings a unique perspective to the story of the kidnapped royal twins and their adoptive mother, Belaria. This focus on female-centric familial relationships adds a layer of emotional depth to the play, exploring the complex dynamics of motherhood, loss, and reunion. This thematic resonance, coupled with the play’s exploration of national identity and reconciliation, makes Cymbeline surprisingly relevant to a 21st-century audience.
However, the production’s strengths also highlight the challenges facing contemporary theatre. Tang acknowledges the precarious state of the arts, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. The need for financially viable programming can often restrict artistic exploration and limit opportunities for emerging artists. Tang’s Cymbeline, while playing in a relatively small venue, represents a bold artistic endeavor in a climate often dominated by safer, more commercial choices. Her production serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting diverse voices and innovative interpretations of classic works, ensuring the continued vibrancy and relevance of theatre in a changing world. The production’s success, both artistically and in terms of audience engagement, demonstrates the power of theatre to connect with audiences on a profound level and to offer new perspectives on timeless stories.
