"Cymbeline" Shakespeare in the Parks

Pure Shakespeare: easily lifted plots, reworked characters from other authors, older tales woven into his own stories. Cymbeline offers up its own delights of soap opera or fairy tale. Imogen is a gallant creation, who has been idealized by male critics, for centuries, as a kind of perfect woman. Iachimo, while hardly deep, is a fun villain to watch--clever, and not truly evil enough to hate. This entertaining play, almost entirely plot, gives us sword fights, disguises, poisons, and two eminently hiss-able villains in the Queen and Cloten. Indeed, the entire story contains many elements of the fairy tale--including the happy ending.

But underneath the jokes and bets about women, there are questions raised. Yes, times were different in Shakespeare's day, and it would be typical for Cymbeline to arrange his daughter's marriage. But the play offers us a chance to look at the roles allowed for women and their place in society. Manipulation and control are talked about and much of the plot circles around Imogen's sexual purity.

So what is a woman's role in this society? How does Imogen fit or not fit in? Shakespeare plays with these questions portraying the relationships between men and women. What kinds of authority and power are women allowed? Are all the women portrayed as deceitful and untrustworthy?

Come see for yourself to the Roundup City Park softball field -- 9th Avenue & 4th Street East -- Monday, July 12th at 6:30 p.m. to watch this twisty play with death potions and the Roman army. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets and enjoy live summer theater. If the weather is inclement, the play will be performed at the Community Center, 700 3rd Street West.

Roundup Arts & Culture (A & C), a standing committee of the Musselshell Valley Community Foundation, brings you Shakespeare in the Park each summer and counts on generous support from local patrons.

A & C is looking for additional people for help bring Shakespeare in the Parks and other cultural events to Roundup each year. If you would like to help bring these events to Roundup, please contact Bill Milton at 323-1771.